Title: Turmoil

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Eddie tried to quell his nerves as he parked his truck in the parking lot of Lucy's apartment building. He double checked the address she'd given him and exited the truck. He reached her apartment and knocked. A few minutes later he was greeted by a pale and tired looking Lucy Chen. She welcomed him with a smile though and Eddie returned it as he stepped inside. She shut the door behind before going to the sofa. She paused as she reached the coffee table.

"Do you want something to drink?"Lucy offered. "I have bottled water or soda."

"Water will be fine, but you sit I'll find it."Eddie suggested.

He noted that she didn't protest too hard as he went into the small kitchen. Eddie found the bottled water in the fridge and took one before closing the door and going back to the living room. Lucy motioned to one of the spare chairs and he sat. Eddie was grateful for the bottle of water gave his hands something to hold onto instead of fidgeting.

"They released me around noon."Lucy explained as she pulled the blanket up.

"How are you feeling?"Eddie asked with concern.

"Tired, but alright. Physically anyway."Lucy responded quietly.

Eddie cringed inwardly.

"Lucy, about yesterday..."Eddie began.

"Did you mean it?"Lucy inquired meeting his gaze. "We haven't known each other that long..."

Eddie scooted the chair forward. He set the bottle on the coffee table and gently reached for Lucy's hands taking them in both of his.

"I know, but it feels like we've always known each other."Eddie responded as he squeezed her hands."To answer your question, yes I meant it. I do care about you, Lucy a lot."

Lucy remained silent but Eddie was heartened that she didn't pull away. That their hands remained linked.

"I respect that you care for Bradford and have a history with him."Eddie continued taking a chance."I think we could be happy together."


Lucy swallowed hard looking at their entwined hands and then meeting Eddie's gaze. She'd wanted answers and she certainly got them. Several long moments passed before Lucy took a shaky breath and spoke.

"I love Tim."Lucy stated softly. "But I can't deny there is something between us, Eddie. I care about you too and I don't know where that leaves us."

Eddie let out a relieved breath and released Lucy's hands. Lucy fiddled with the blanket tucking it absently around her.

"I know I told you I was separated from my wife."Eddie began quietly meeting Lucy's gaze. "Truth is I haven't heard from her in over two years. Shannon couldn't handle Christopher's CP and she left."

"I'm sorry, Edie."Lucy said softly. "That's awful. You and Christopher must've been heartbroken."

"We were."Eddie admitted. "He still asks for her and I'm never quite sure what to say."

Lucy's heart squeezed at the sad look on Eddie's face. She couldn't imagine having a spouse break off all contact not only with you but your child. Lucy tried to picture walking away from a son as sweet as Christopher and failed. Lucy pushed the blanket away and eased herself to a standing position. She walked over to Eddie and leaned over slightly wrapping him in a hug.

After awhile Eddie pulled back and smiled at Lucy. She smiled back and stepped away but didn't sit back down.

"I wanted to tell you about Shannon so you know that I haven't dated much since she left."Eddie continued quietly. "I was constantly thinking of Christopher not wanting to bring him into a situation where he'd get close to someone I cared about only to have her leave."

"You're a wonderful father, Eddie."Lucy commented resting a hand on his left arm. "Not many men would be that selfless."

"My son is my world."Eddie agreed softly as he covered Lucy's hand with his. "But I realized when I was pulling you out of that burning alley that I needed to let others into that world. Life is far too short not to take a chance even if your heart gets shattered."

Lucy squeezed his hand once before walking away and standing by the patio doors looking out. Her thoughts and heart were in such turmoil. She had asked Eddie to come over hoping that she'd get answers that would make things easier would point to a clear path. There was no clear path. The more time she spent with Eddie the more she cared about him. But did that caring equal losing what she had with Tim?


Tim wasn't drunk. He was at a neighborhood bar he frequented once in enough to his apartment to walk home if needed. Tim looked down at the beer bottle and sighed. Lucy had asked him to leave her hospital room the morning before. He hadn't heard from her since. Tim had tried to tell himself that it didn't mean anything. She was healing from the fire still recovering. That hadn't gone far to convince himself; so here he sat for hours.

The door opened and Tim glanced over out of habit. He fought the urge to roll his eyes as Angela walked over to him. She leaned against the bar next to him a stern and worried expression on her face.

"Grey's been trying to reach you."Angela stated without a greeting.

One of the reasons Tim liked Angela. Direct and never afraid to speak her mind.

"I'm off today."Tim reminded his friend as he took another swallow of beer.

"Arsonist struck again."Angela explained tightly. "Grey's calling everyone in. Taskforce needs all the help it can get."

Tim cursed and looked wistfully at the beer before slamming it down on the bar. He stood took out enough cash to cover his tab and placed it next to the bottle.

"You need coffee."Angela informed.

"I only had one."Tim replied gruffly as he headed out of the bar.

"I heard about the fight."Angela said sympathetically.

"I'm sure it's all around the station."Tim groused as they stepped outside.

Angela paused turning and searching Tim's expression. He wasn't sure what she was hoping to find.

"I heard Diaz nearly clocked you."Angela commented with concern.

"Would've had him if Nash hadn't shown up."Tim responded heading to Angela's car since he'd walked there.

"What's going on with you two?"Angela asked as she got in the driver's side and Tim climbed in the passenger side closing the door. "It was a hospital not a..."

"He wants Lucy."Tim snapped interrupting.

"Did he tell her that?"Angela inquired as she pulled out of the parking lot.

"Yes and she told both of us to get out."Tim grumbled as he stared out the window.

"Oh."Angela replied simply.

The car lapsed into silence and remained that way until they got to the station.


Bobby Nash stood in the main conference room of the Mid-Wilshire police station staring at a map. A map he didn't like. One that kept getting more red pins. The one tonight had been another commercial building. However, this one had apartments above it. It was now three am and he'd just come from the scene after they'd rescued four people from the apartments. There'd been one fatality this time a seventy year old woman who'd succomend to the smoke before they could reach her.

"I can tell you from experience that staring at it will only make you go cross-eyed."Wade Grey commented from the doorway. "I've gotten a lot of headaches in this room looking at maps like those."

"I'm sure you have."Nash responded grimly as he turned. "I'm just wishing we could get ahead of this. I don't want to lose any more lives needlessly."

"We will."Grey stated as he stepped farther into the room. "Especially with the task force."

"I hope so."Bobby replied sadly. "I don't want to tell any more families that one didn't make it out."

"Sgt."Lopez called as she knocked on the doorframe. "We've got something on social media. No image; voice is distorted but claiming responsibility."

Bobby followed them out into the bull pen hoping against hope that this could be the break they needed.