Title: Turmoil

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Three days later Lucy was back at work and back with the task force. Reprots from the arson investigators had come in on the last two fires. They'd spent most of the day sorting and comparing and Lucy was happy with the progress they had made. Eddie had been friendly to her but hadn't pressed her to talk outside of work related. Lucy still felt chemistry between them and had seen Eddie looking her way when he thought she wasn't looking.

During a dinner break Lucy invited Eddie to eat outside. The station had a few picnic tables outside of where the break room was. Employees could walk out of the brearoom and enjoy some fresh air. It wasn't much but it was nice to sit outside when it wasn't sorching hot. As they sat at one of the far tables each with their dinners Lucy knew she had to make the most of this time.

"How are you feeling?"Eddie asked as he took a drink of a bottled water.

"Tired, but happy to be back."Lucy replied with a smile.

"Good, but I meant physically."Eddie said softly.

Lucy reached out and touched the top of Eddie's left hand.

"I'm fine."Lucy insisted as she took a bite of salad with her free hand.

"I'm glad."Eddie commented as he squeezed her hand interlacing their fingers.

Lucy put down her fork as she looked down at their entwined hands. She'd done a lot of thinking over the past few days. Lucy needed to give Eddie a chance; to explore their potential relationship. Taking a deep breath Lucy began to speak.

"Tim and I are taking a break from each other."Lucy stated as she met Eddie's gaze. "I told him I have feelings for you."

A wide smile covered Eddie's face.

"Lucy..."Eddie began.

Lucy had to be honest with him.

"I-I don't know..."Lucy faltered. "I care about both of you."

If Eddie was honest with himself he'd admit this was more than he'd hoped for. Lucy had a history with Bradford. Eddie had thought he'd had a chance and now Lucy was giving him that chance. Eddie leaned across the table and kissed her.

"Dinner tommorrow?"Eddie asked when they broke apart.

"Sure."Lucy agreed with a smile.

"Thank you."Eddie said as he squeezed Lucy's right hand. "For giving me a chance; I know it was hard for you."

Lucy nodded and Eddie saw the conflict in her brown eyes. She may have seperated from Bradford but he still had her heart. Eddie wasn't sure if he could win but he was going to give it his best shot.

The next morning Lucy packed a blue sun dress and shoes in her bag. With how crazy things had been she was almost certain she wouldn't get a chance to stop home and change before meeting Eddie for dinner. Meeting Eddie for dinner...the words echoed and a giddiness formed in Lucy's stomach. Part of her was wondering if the newness of something with Eddie was the appeal. The road ahead with Tim was full of bumps but Lucy knew good times were there as well.

Moving over to the small dresser Lucy grabbed a simple silver necklace and matching bracelet and put them in the bag and closed it. All the romance novels and movies that used the two guys fighting over a girl as the plot made it seem dramatic and romantic. In real life Lucy was realizing having so many hearts involved...it was inevitable someone was going to get hurt no matter how you tried to cushion it.

Lucy left the bedroom and was just crossing to the kitchen to grab her coffee when a knock sounded at the front door. Lucy looked through the peep hole to see a delivery man. With a puzzled frown she opened the door.

"Lucy Chen?"The brown haired youth asked with a smile.

"Yes."Lucy confirmed.

"For you; enjoy your day."The man responded handing her a bouquet of red roses.

Lucy thanked him and stepped back inside plucking out the card. She was surprised to see Tim's familiar handwriting.

'Breakfast before shift Thursday? Love you, Tim.'

Lucy inhaled the pretty fragence of the roses as she went back to the kitchen to find something to put them in. Putting them in a vase she found under the sink Lucy added water and put them on the small breakfast bar. Tim had only sent her flowers once before on her birthday. Smiling through blurry teary vision Lucy reached up and gently touched one of the petals. Walking back through the living room Lucy pulled out her phone to send a text to Tim. She told him thank you for the flowers and yes to breakfast.

Driving to work Lucy thought about Tim and their relationship. She had to figure this out soon. As much as Lucy knew that logically her stomach twisted in an emotional knot. She cared so much about both men. Lucy sighed, she had a lot of thinking to do over the next few days.


"You look gorgeous."Eddie complimented as he took Lucy's right hand in his.

"Thanks."Lucy replied with a slight blush. "Where are we going?"

Eddie had picked Lucy up from the police station. Risky with Bradford there but it'd been the easiest place to get her. They reached Eddie's truck and he opened the passenger door for her.

"That place we went to the first time."Eddie explained as Lucy got in. "That okay?"

"Yes, I liked it."Lucy replied with a smile.

Eddie couldn't resist he leaned in and kissed her. Lucy hesitated a moment then responded kissing him back.


Tim walked out of the station with Angela. Been a long day and he was hot and tired and all he wanted was to go home and watch whatever sports game was on and have a beer. Movement out of the corner of his right eye drew Tim's attention and he saw Lucy getting into a large black pickup. Eddie Diaz was leaning against the passenger door talking to her. Tim stopped so suddenly that Angela who'd been a step behind him getting something out of her bag nearly collided with him.

"What?"Lopez asked.

Tim didn't answer his gaze riveted. Then he saw Diaz kiss Lucy and Tim's fists clenched at his sides. Part of his brain was telling him it was a bad idea to interrupt. Then again he had told Lucy he'd fight if he had to. Angela had seen the kiss and stepped in front of him blocking his way.

"Tim."Angela warned with a shake of her head. "Going caveman won't..."

Tim ignored her and stepped around picking up speed as he advanced on the black pickup.


Lucy had been surprised by the kiss but quickly found herself lost in it and Eddie's strong arms around her. Suddenly there was a shout and Eddie was yanked away and Lucy found herself blinking at the setting sun. As Lucy orientated herself she heard Tim's voice and her heart stopped.

"Get your hands off her!"Tim snarled.

Lucy quickly got out of the truck. The two men were circling each other their fists clenched. A crowd was gathering and Lucy saw Angela watching anxiously from the other side of the two men.

"Not your call, Bradford."Eddie replied tightly. "She's with me tonight."

Tim's right fist shot out and caught Eddie in the jaw. Eddie easily deflected the blow and bounced back.

"Really want to go for a round two?"Eddie demanded.


"If that's what it takes."Tim retorted as he lashed out once more.

Diaz rounded and tossed in a punch that grazed Tim's right forehead. Tim got another hit in that connected with Eddie's left cheek sending the firefighter back a step.

"Stop it!"Lucy shouted.

Tim had noted the crowd but things had progressed to far to back out now. May not have been the best plan but it this was a way to show Lucy that he was in this then so be it.