Title: Turmoil
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
Eddie Diaz awoke with a groan. The harsh overhead lights forced his eyes back closed. The pain the light caused disorientating him. It took him too long to realize he was in a hospital. His memories took even longer to pull together. Dinner. He'd had dinner plans with Lucy. Had they been in an accident? The brief glimpse of the room he'd gotten had told Eddie he was in a hospital.
"Think he's comin' around, Cap."Buc said from Eddie's left.
"Eddie?"Bobby Nash prompted worriedly from Eddie's right.
"What happened?"Eddie ground out not opening his eyes. "Is Lucy okay?"
"I'm okay."Lucy said from the front of the room. "I will see to it that Tim apologizes."
At the mention of Bradford's name the memories clicked into place. They'd fought in the parking lot of the police station. Slowly Eddie eased his eyes open. Lucy stood near the foot of the bed her brown eyes worried and her face pale.
"He knocked me out?"Eddie asked as he pushed himself into a sitting position against the pillows.
"You've been unconscious for a couple hours."Bobby explained grimly.
"From what I heard technically your truck knocked you out."Buc added. "Bradford punched you sent you into the door and you bounced your head against the sideboard."
"I'm sorry, Eddie."Lucy stated softly.
"We'll give you two some privacy."Bobby said as he moved towards the door. "I'll let the doctor know you're awake."
"Thanks, Cap."Eddie acknowledged as he leaned back against the pillows.
As the door closed Eddie looked at Lucy. It was only then that he noticed the skirt of her dress was torn and dirty in places. He reached his right hand towards her capturing her left hand and pulling her towards him.
"What happened? Thought you said you weren't hurt?"Eddie asked with concern.
Lucy smiled ruefully as she cupped Eddie's face with her hands forcing him to meet her gaze. As the fight had worn on Lucy had been embarrassed and furious with both of them. Then when Eddie had been taking away in an ambulance all that had mattered was that he was okay.
"I tried to break up the fight."Lucy explained. "But neither of you were listening to me."
"I'm sorry; I should've stepped away..."Eddie began quietly.
"No, Tim was like a bull in a ring."Lucy said sadly. "Nothing was going to stop that fight."
A knock on the door interrupted and Lucy stepped back just as a young red haired male doctor poked his head in.
"I'm Dr. Halton."The man greeted as he stepped in. "Ma'am, I'll need a few minutes to examine my patient."
"Of course."Lucy replied with a smile. "I'll be outside."
Lucy was grateful for the interruption. She escaped into the hall and leaned against the right wall away from Bobby and Buc. As she closed her eyes she saw both men look at her with concern. She appreciated it but her thoughts and emotions were spinning at such speed that Lucy just needed time to herself. Her life was such a mess.
"You don't have to stay."Tim said to Grey.
Grey had taken Tim home after the paramedics had checked Tim over. Now Tim sat on his living room sofa holding an open bottle of beer.
"Clearly I do."Wade answered as he took the beer away from Tim and replaced it with an ice pack he'd gotten from the freezer. "You'll have a worse headache tomorrow if you drink this."
Tim grunted and leaned back against the cushions putting the ice pack to a a spot on the left side of his forehead. It was already starting to bruise and there was a cut near his hairline that was bandaged.
"Still say you should've got stitches for that."Wade commented as he sat on the edge of Tim's coffee table.
"Medics disagreed."Tim grumbled.
"No you just didn't cooperate after Chen left with Diaz in the ambulance."Grey retorted with a shake of his head.
Tim sighed as the memory of Lucy's angry face flashed across his mind's eye. He reached for his cell phone.
"I need to talk to her."Tim admitted as he cleared the screen.
"Yes."Grey agreed. "But I don't think she'll return your calls tonight."
Tim tossed the phone down on the sofa and sat up. He stared down at the ice pack.
"Give her some time to cool off."Grey continued quietly.
"I'm losing her to Diaz; aren't I?"Tim asked hurt in his voice and not being able to mask it.
"I don't think so; not yet."Grey replied. "I saw worry for you under that anger. A good apology goes a long way. Trust me I spent a few nights on the sofa after arguments with my wife in the early days."
"I just hope I haven't messed things up completely."Tim muttered as he put the icepack back on his forehead.
Some how he had to find a way to get Lucy to forgive him. Tim knew if he got to that point he'd have a chance at winning her back.
