It's the New Year's fic you didn't know you needed in February! *maniacal laugh, maniacal laugh*

The title is taken from What Are You Doing New Year's Eve

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of a thousand invitations you received

"But it's New Year's, baby!" was the slurred cry that punctured the morning LA air.

"No, New Year's Eve is tomorrow," Tim tried to state as calmly as possible, unable to keep his eyes from rolling. "And even if it was tomorrow, you still would have broken the law."

"I was just starting my celebration early!" the inebriated woman protested.

"Well, now you can keep the celebration going in jail. Happy new year."

He nudged their latest DUI offender into the backseat of the shop, who then proceeded to pass out. The first of January couldn't come soon enough as far as he was concerned. He stole a glance at his aide (merely an official title at this point, as the term partner had more recently rolled around and situated itself quite comfortably in his mind since it felt far more accurate these days), who gently shook her head with a smirk that seemed to be laced with fondness.

As they both got back into the shop to return to the Mid-Wilshire Station, Lucy remarked, "I guess we're in for a lot of A.C.H. today and tomorrow."

Anything Can Happen, and did it ever most years. He hated patrolling on holidays for that very reason. "Yep, more vigilant than ever. You know the drill," he said, turning the engine.

"Hey, you never told me what your New Year's plans were."

"That's because I don't have any."

"Nothing?"

"Nope."

"I guess that's on-brand for you. But it's sad."

"Why?" Tim blurted in bewilderment.

"Because New Year's Eve is an amazing holiday, Tim! There's something magical about getting a fresh start. It's a chance to reflect on the events of this year, and get excited for what's to come! It's bright, warm, and just the best. And you're missing it."

Tim gave her a pointed stare. "You know nothing really changes when the calendar switches from December to January, right?"

"I know," Lucy answered, "But sometimes you still need a proverbial clean slate. And New Year's Eve is about the best one you can get."

He winced ever so slightly, thinking how Lucy could probably use a clean slate more than ever after this past year. Who was he to rain on her parade? His past had left very little space for lofty ideas like fresh starts and clean slates, so he'd stopped hoping for them. It was just easier that way.

As if Lucy was in his mind, sifting through his thoughts, he heard her ask quietly, "Did you ever celebrate it?"

Tim shook his head. "Not really. I mean, maybe a little as a kid, before…things got worse. And Isabel was never into it much, either."

Lucy nodded solemnly.

Clearing his throat, ready to shift the focus off him, he asked, "So what about you?"

"What about me?"

"What are your big New Year's plans?"

"Oh, I don't have any."

Tim gawked at her. "You just spent all that time gushing about how great the holiday is, and how sad it is I'm missing it, and you aren't even celebrating yourself?"

"I didn't say I wasn't celebrating. I just don't have specific plans."

"I would've figured you'd gotten a ton of invites to parties."

"Being an almost thirty-year-old cop doesn't make me as popular as you might think," she half-joked.

He knew there was more to it, and waited until she was ready to talk again.

Lucy's hands fidgeted as she continued. "I mean, I have a few invites, but...well, Jackson and I always liked going all out for New Year's. He just made it so much fun. This year I don't really feel up to that. Tamara is going to a party with some college friends, and I thought I'd have a quiet night at home."

It didn't seem right that someone as vivacious as Lucy Chen could end up sitting at home by herself on New Year's Eve, but the more he thought about it, he realized how much of her support system she'd lost recently. Her best friend had been murdered. Rachel had moved across the country. Nolan was busy with Bailey these days. Lucy had lost two friends from the Academy back to back. And on top of that, she was estranged from her parents. Yet Lucy seemed to make connections with people everywhere she went. Surely there was someone available to ring in the new year with her.

When he looked back over at her, he could practically see the wheels in Lucy's head spinning. "What?"

"You know…." she began, nearly in a sing-song.

"No," was his immediate response.

"Oh, come on, what's the harm if we celebrate together?" Her voice was cheery, but he could see the hurt in her eyes from his rejection.

Tim closed his own eyes. He didn't mean to shoot her down, but lately what he felt for Lucy had gotten so complicated. He knew there were strong feelings, but his mind had no file folders to sort those feelings out and make sense of it all. He had no idea what he should do next. Some party with drinks and Lucy in an amazing dress…that was the last thing he needed right now.

"I thought we were friends," said Lucy, shaking him out of his spiral.

"We are."

"Then let's hang out together. And we can still stay in like we both planned. But no going to bed early for you. You need a proper New Year's Eve."

No parties, huh? He had to admit it didn't sound too bad. Not wanting to see that hurt expression on her face again, he figured he could suck it up for one night. Enjoying Lucy's company certainly wasn't the problem. He found himself enjoying it more and more as of late.

"And," Lucy continued, "I'll plan everything, the food, activities, all of it. You won't have to do a thing as long as you trust me."

Even better, he thought. "I trust you."

"Good. I promise you will have fun before the night is over."

Tim smirked. "We'll see. My place at seven?"

Lucy shot him a grin. "Deal."

"Happy New Year!"

Tim folded his arms across his chest, staring at Lucy who is holding a cardboard box nearly half her size, stuffed to the brim with what appeared to be an entire party in a box. "Lucy, what the hell is all this?"

"Nuh-uh, don't start. I told you I was handling everything, and you agreed. I know this is not your normal mode, but I need Open-Minded Tim Bradford tonight."

He huffed. "I can be open-minded."

"Good."

He took the box out of her arms and headed towards the kitchen.

"Such a gentleman," she called out as she began to follow him from the entry. "Hey, where's my baby?"

It took him a split second to realize she was referring to Kojo, and he was thankful his back had been turned to her as he'd set the box on the counter. No need for her to notice the shock that was no doubt on his face.

"He's, uh, he's in the backyard." Get it together, man. "I'll bring him back inside in a minute, right after you show me what all you brought."

She sidled up to him, giddy with excitement. "I have everything we need for a fun night. I thought we could have a feast of appetizers. So we have," she paused as she began to take out each container one by one, "Veggie spring rolls, spinach artichoke dip and pita chips, sandwich spirals, potstickers, bruschetta, and homemade pizza rolls.

As Tim surveyed the spread he couldn't help but be impressed. An item still in the box caught his eye. "You brought a block of Velveeta?"

"Ah," she said, pulling out her small Crock-pot. "Last but not least, I brought everything we need to make sausage dip, your favorite!"

It actually was his favorite, and he hadn't had it in years. "I don't remember telling you that was my favorite."

She looked slightly sheepish. "You didn't. I actually called Genny up. I wanted at least one dish specifically for you, as a thank you for tonight."

It was such a Lucy move he shouldn't be surprised, but he was. She was constantly surprising him with the depth of her heart. "Wow, thanks."

"So what do you think of the menu?"

"Like I'll need to hit the gym several extra times this week," Tim quipped.

Lucy waved her hand in dismissal. "Oh please. You could eat this food all week long, not work out and you'd still look hot."

They both froze.

Did she really say that?

Lucy's eyes were impossibly large, her hands hovering over the counter. "I mean, ummm…ok, well this was fun, but I'm gonna go home now."

She began to move away, but Tim caught her by the elbow, guiding her back, definitely ignoring the sparks shooting through his fingers from the contact. "Come on, Lucy, it's fine. It's a relief actually, that you can finally admit I'm a very handsome boy."

Lucy's face scrunched up almost into a duck face as she clearly tried not to smile. "You're the worst."

Tim grinned at that. She was so easy to rile up sometimes.

"Fine, I'll stay, and the last minute never happened. Can you please get Kojo now?"

"Yeah, just a sec." He opened the French doors to the yard and stepped outside. His dog was wandering around in the back corner. "Hey, Koj, your mom is here." Kojo's ears perked up, seeming to understand every word, and he bounded towards the doors and straight inside to Lucy.

Lucy lit up as she knelt down to give the dog kisses. "Who's a good boy? Did you miss me? It's been too long since I've visited you, yes, I know."

While Lucy was occupied, Tim had a moment to really look at her for the first time since she arrived. She wore a long, soft-looking teal sweater, black leggings, and boots. She had added some sparkling dangle earrings, and her hair was down in large, cascading waves. With her lips as red as the poinsettias he'd been gifted at Christmas, she looked stunning. So much for not having to deal with Lucy looking amazing on New Year's. Still, this beat a loud party, and honestly, it beat being alone.

She rummaged through the box again and produced a party hat. "Here, Kojo, I got you something fun! Try this on," Lucy said as she secured the hat on him.

"You are not dressing up my dog."

"Our dog, and look at him! He's so festive."

Kojo then used his paw to push the hat back off. Tim smiled proudly.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Ok, ok, but I brought you and me party hats as well, plus horns, blowouts, balloons, champagne, and games."

"If Kojo won't wear a hat, what makes you think I will?"

"Because you're Open-Minded Tim tonight, remember?"

"I will start wearing it at eleven-thirty."

"Ok, that's progress. Meanwhile, what do you say we play a game of Yahtzee while the food warms up? Winner picks lunch every day next week."

"You're on."

After the food was slowly warming, and Lucy had placed a few balloons around the house ("three balloons, no more" was his final offer), one game of Yahtzee quickly turned into a whole six-game tournament, which Tim won with ease.

No, he obliterated her.

She wasn't thrilled.

"Come on, you had a one, three, and five, and were trying to get a large straight on a third roll. It wasn't going to happen! Besides, you can usually get a straight without trying so hard, but you kept trying for combinations you had no chance of getting."

"I had to go for it. It's about risk. You have to play big to win big," Lucy said, packing up the game.

Tim nearly laughed at her fiery defense. Folding his arms, he calmly asked, "And did you win big?"

Lucy bit her bottom lip. "No, but—"

"It's about strategy, Lucy. You have to play smart, considering all the possible outcomes, much like our approach to our jobs." He headed into the kitchen and began pulling out large platters for the appetizers to go on.

"Ok, don't you dare go all TO on me. You're not seriously comparing Yahtzee to police work? Geez, Tim, it's supposed to be fun! Did you have any fun at all?"

The time of his life, actually, including the argument he currently found himself in. But he wasn't about to admit it. Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "It was ok."

"Wow, ok, so that's how you want to play this? You were fully invested in that tournament. You lit up every time you got Yahtzee, which was too many times in my opinion. How did you get so good at the game, anyway?"

"For the record, there's no way to be consistently good at Yahtzee. There is too much chance involved, even with all your strategy. But, Genny and I would have tournaments growing up, and," he added with a smirk, "she acted as graciously as you when she'd lose."

Lucy huffed. "I need oven mitts."

Tim laughed as he handed her a pair. Apparently, the discussion was over.

While music played on her phone, Lucy glided around his kitchen with an ease Tim hadn't seen before. Isabel never really liked cooking. Rachel was a takeout kind of girl. With Ashley, it was as though she walked on eggshells in Tim's house, although that may have had more to do with Kojo than the kitchen. Lucy, however, filled the room with a golden warmth that made it seem as if she was always meant to be here.

But what was he even thinking? Those were all significant others, and Lucy was neither his wife nor his girlfriend. He had no business making those comparisons. And yet….

Lucy stopped moving, staring at an open cabinet. "What's wrong?" Tim asked.

"That was weird. I don't know how, but I knew your plates were in that cabinet before I even opened it."

Tim shrugged, trying not to read too much into it. "Maybe you saw me get a plate that time you stayed overnight."

"Maybe, but I don't remember it. It was as though I just instinctively knew," she said, shaking her head in wonder.

As if she belonged here.

What was happening?

"Ok, I think everything is ready. Dig in," Lucy announced excitedly, mysteries of cabinet contents seemingly forgotten, at least for her.

They piled their plates high, Tim practically salivating at how amazing everything looked and smelled. "When did you have time to make all of this?"

"It really wasn't that involved. Plus, Tamara helped a little, although I think that was just so she could be guaranteed some of the leftovers. She says hi, by the way."

"Hi back," Tim said. "You should bring her by sometime while she's on winter break."

Lucy grinned. "I will. Maybe we can all go see a movie or something. Speaking of movies, I should mention our entertainment for the evening. We will be watching When Harry Met Sally while we eat."

"A rom-com? Seriously?" he groaned.

"Sergeant Bradford, you will watch this movie and you will like it! Have you ever seen it before?"

"No."

"Then you don't know if you'll hate it or not, so stop complaining. This movie is a tradition. Whenever there was a New Year's where I stayed home, this is the movie I would watch."

They reached the couch with their plates, and Tim sat down at the far end, figuring she would take the other end. Much to his surprise, she sat down right next to him, leaving an abundance of room for Kojo to stretch out on the rest of the couch.

Tim put their plates on the round coffee table and scooted it a little closer to them while Lucy grabbed the remote and pulled up Netflix.

"No, if we're watching this you need to sign in with your account," Tim stated.

"What? Why?"

"Because watching the movie on my account will mess with the algorithms, and then I'll get rom-com suggestions all the time."

Lucy laughed. "You are such a dork."

"Says the dork that has her sign-in info memorized."

"Hey, the relationship a girl has with her Netflix is very important."

They settled back with their food as the movie started. Lucy really had outdone herself. It was the best meal he'd had in ages, especially the sausage dip. It stirred up a few of the happy memories he was able to salvage from childhood, as his mom would make it for almost every event. He was still amazed Lucy had gone to the trouble of calling his sister just to make an appetizer that he would appreciate. But that was Lucy Chen in a nutshell, always making the lives of those around her better.

The movie as it turned out wasn't nearly as boring as he anticipated. He even found himself laughing on several occasions, causing a triumphant smirk on Lucy's face each time.

Thanks to pop culture, Tim was at least aware of the fake orgasm scene already, so it didn't catch him too off guard, and he also managed to avoid glancing at Lucy through its entirety.

The double date scene intrigued him. Tim couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he and Lucy had been paired up with different dates, maybe even with Ashley while they'd been together. He had a feeling he probably would have ended up talking to Lucy most and that only reinforced how right his decision was to break up with Ashley. Not that Ashley hadn't been interesting, but despite Lucy only having been in his life for not quite two years, hers and Tim's history was rich and ran deep. The more he'd been forced to hear what she had to say about every topic under the sun, the more he'd found himself wanting to hear it. Now, hers was the voice he couldn't get enough of.

They were somewhere in the third act when he felt Lucy's head lean on his shoulder, and he could have sworn he was starting to feel whatever New Year's hype Lucy had been trying to convince him of, mixed with the low light of the living room, the glow from the tv, and feeling full from the wonderful meal. Even Kojo looked more relaxed than normal. It was the most at home Tim had ever felt in this house. He'd bought it mere months after officially ending his marriage to Isabel, hoping to escape the daily reminder of memories of her and all that had fallen apart. He appreciated its modernity, all starkness, and clean lines, a contrast to the homey, lived-in atmosphere of his previous house. He allowed it to create a barrier between him and feeling truly at home again. But because of Lucy's presence, those clean lines were becoming tangled together, like a pair of wired headphones.

And he liked it.

So he put his arm around her while watching Billy Crystal race through the streets of New York.

"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

The line from the movie was like a record scratch in his mind. It immediately transported him to a different night. He could almost smell the sweat from that gym as he recalled telling Lucy it was the first day of the rest of her life, hoping his words would have some impact, any impact on her, that he could reach all the way to her heart and bring back the Lucy he had come to know so well.

She had come back, and yet there was still no shortage of reminders that life could change in a heartbeat. His own father was facing death. Jackson was murdered. Angela had been kidnapped by La Fiera. And Lucy nearly dying in a barrel had weighed on his mind every single day since. There were no guarantees.

After Lucy had been his lifeline in dealing with his dad and fixing up the house he grew up in, it had gotten him thinking differently, questioning what he really wanted. It was a long conversation with Genny that had further opened his eyes, as he and his sister had sat on the floor of their childhood living room, reconnecting in a way they hadn't in years. She had peeled back some of his layers and helped him see what he already knew deep down. It was what he'd been avoiding by letting Lucy become his aide, by rolling his eyes at her in abundance, and the way he'd grasped at straws by foolishly trying to start something with Ashley.

It was Lucy.

It was all Lucy.

She was it. She was everything.

And honestly, what was he waiting for?

The gentlest brown eyes stared up at him with such trust and…admiration? Adoration? He couldn't be sure. His jaw clenched in the fear she could sense exactly what he was thinking.

With an abruptness, Lucy got up and gathered the plates, leaving a cold swirl of air around Tim in her absence. He realized the movie had ended, although he couldn't have recalled to anyone what happened those last couple of minutes of it. He followed her into the kitchen while she began to clean up.

Placing a hand on her arm, he softly said, "Hey, leave them for now."

"Tim, no, I can't leave it a mess."

"You can. Now, what's next on your list of activities?"

Lucy dried her hands on the hand towel. "Actually, I hadn't planned past the movie, other than celebrating at midnight."

"Then how about we go sit out in the backyard. It's a nice night, and there's still plenty of time before they replay the ball drop." The clock read just after eleven.

She smiled. "Yeah, I'd like that."

He signaled Kojo to join them as they made their way outside. The air was humid but there was enough of a breeze to keep it pleasant.

"Should we call Rachel up and ask her what the future is like?" Lucy tried to laugh, but it sounded hollow. "Sorry, bad joke," she apologized, tucking her hair behind her ears.

She's nervous, he noted as they settled on the lounge chairs. But why would she be nervous unless…?

"So, you mentioned reflecting on the year?" he blurted out.

"Relax, you don't have to do that. I've done plenty of reflecting already," she replied wistfully.

"Maybe I want to, Lucy."

She glanced in his direction.

"How have you been coping with…everything?" he asked.

Lucy sighed. "Ok, I guess? I don't know. I really miss Jackson. Life has been too quiet, and lonely. I can't go back to who I was before he was gone, before I was buried even, but I'm still trying to get to know who I've become. Sometimes I still feel lost."

Tim nodded. "It can take a while to come back to yourself after trauma. After my tours, I used to walk around this city in a fog. It was like I had amnesia of my previous life. It was a long time before it felt like home again, before I felt at home. But you're the most resilient person I've ever known. You will find yourself again."

"I wouldn't have gotten through this year without you, Tim."

He looked at her in disbelief. "Yes, you would have."

"No, listen, the way you supported me and comforted me after Caleb, after Jackson, the way you're doing it right now. You've had my back so many times. You looked out for me when I went UC. You gave me a chance to be your gofer—"

"Aide, he corrected, smiling.

She smiled back. "Aide. Just, thank you for all of it. I mean, if someone had told me at the beginning of my rookie year that we'd eventually be here celebrating a holiday together, I would've laughed. But…I'm glad I'm here."

"Me too, Lucy." He honestly couldn't imagine where he'd be if he hadn't had this woman in his life to challenge him and soften the edges he hadn't realized had become so jagged. Pushing past the TO/rookie boundaries, allowing this relationship to evolve into something unprecedented, might have been the best decision he'd ever made.

"Your turn now. How would you sum up your year?"

"A lot of change, lot of loss."

"That's the most 'Tim' summary I've ever heard out of you. Ok, what were some highlights?"

He mulled it over for a moment. "Buying this house, becoming a sergeant, seeing you become a P2," he said, garnering an "aww" from Lucy, "Angela and Wesley finally getting married at the courthouse. I guess dating Rachel, even though that wasn't meant to last. I thought Ashley would have been a highlight, but that should have never even happened."

"You never told me why it didn't work out with her."

"She just wasn't the right one. We wouldn't have clicked long-term. She was perfectly nice, and safe. I thought that was what I needed, but I was wrong."

He could see her quietly processing that information as if she was mentally filing it away for later.

"Have you gotten any updates about your dad?"

"Nope, not recently. Last I heard he's apparently about the same. They've given him a few more weeks," he answered in a detached tone.

"Will you promise me something?"

He looked over at the concern on her face, similar to that night at the hospice. "Yeah."

"When it happens, I want you to tell me as soon as you can. If we're off duty, you call me anytime. You may not grieve your dad at all, and that's fine. But you also may experience a lot of unexpected emotions in the process. You won't know until it happens, but I don't want you to expect to handle it all by yourself. I'm here however you need."

Tim tried to swallow down the tightness in his throat. "I promise. Thank you, Lucy."

She was right. He had no idea what he might be dealing with when his dad passed. There was already grief from losing out on the childhood he should have had with a loving father. And in all of that mess, there were actually some good memories with his dad. Would he grieve over those? He couldn't say, but knowing Lucy would walk through it with him already brought so much comfort.

Reaching his arm out, he gently clasped her hand and pulled it out towards him, their fingers intertwining in the space between the lounge chairs. He could have sworn he heard a low hum from her as they stayed that way for who knows how long. He stared up at the inky sky, experiencing contentment come over him that he had scarcely felt before, if ever.

It wasn't until Lucy was springing up from checking her phone that their bubble was popped. "Crap, it's already eleven-fifty! I have to get everything ready!"

She rushed back into the house, leaving Tim to saunter back inside at a more normal pace. He pulled up Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve while Lucy brought the hats and noisemakers to the coffee table, heading back to the kitchen to pour the champagne.

When she returned to the living room with the flutes and set them down, he could tell something was weighing on her. This was supposed to be the most exciting part of the night, but she looked way too contemplative. "Tim?"

He could hear the quiver in her voice, even though her appearance was as poised as ever.

"Yeah?"

She exhaled sharply before continuing. "You said Ashley wasn't what you needed. So, what exactly is it that you need?"

Here it was, the window he had been unable to open himself all night. He wanted to believe the reason she was asking was the same reason he hoped. After all, hadn't she given him clues all night that she might be on the same page? But his judgment was clouded by her fake confession months previously, as well as every obstacle they could potentially face with their jobs.

You want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

He didn't want to wait any longer, though. He stopped fighting the current of excuses trying to pull him under as he came to stand right in front of her. This was either going to be the most awkward beginning to a new year, or maybe the best.

"Honestly?"

She nodded.

"You."

Her eyes began to glisten, but she was smiling. She's smiling. It was a good sign.

"Really?"

"I need you, Lucy, in every single way you'll let me be in your life."

She moved a little closer to him. "How about all the ways?"

His breath hitched. "Yeah?"

"Assuming it's not a line you say to all your ex-rookies."

Tim chuckled as relief washed over him. "You would definitely be the first."

"Tim," she whispered his name with such reverence as she pulled him down to press her forehead against his. "You mean everything to me."

His hands found her waist and he pulled her closer, delighting in the opportunity to finally touch her like he'd been wanting to for so long. He leaned in as his lips found hers, igniting a fire inside of him that he knew could never be extinguished. White-hot lightning shot through every nook and cranny of his body as he deepened the kiss. She was heaven.

If he'd known it was going to be this good….

Louder cheers from the tv managed to pull them from their kiss-induced haze. "Oooo, one more minute!" Lucy squealed.

She put her party hat on and then grabbed one for Tim. He let her put it on him. She could add five more party hats, even throw confetti over every inch of the floor and he wouldn't care. Nothing could bring him down right now.

Once they each had a champagne flute in hand, the final countdown began.

"To new beginnings," said Lucy.

"And fresh starts," added Tim. He might be a believer in them now.

They took a sip as the new year lit up on the screen, and the strains of Auld Lang Syne could be heard. They blew the noisemakers until Kojo decided he'd had enough and headed to the bedroom, then their lips crashed together again, this time with more passion, more urgency. They eased down onto the couch, never breaking contact. She curled up against him as he leaned back until they were nearly horizontal.

When the need for oxygen became too great, Tim pulled back and said, "Ok, now this is pretty fun."

Lucy giggled, placing her hands on his chest to prop herself up a bit. "Definitely not how I was expecting to win that, but I'll take it."

"I hope you weren't planning on going home."

"Not anymore."

"Good answer."

Tim cupped her cheek as she leaned into his hand. "Happy New Year, Lucy."

"Happy New Year, Tim," Lucy said as she kissed him once more.

It was the first day of the rest of their lives.

What's a New Year's fic doing here in February? Well, I had planned to finish and post this story, you guessed it, at New Year's. But then...I didn't. I had massive writer's block, a complete lack of motivation, and the more I tried to make it happen, the more frustrated I would get with it. It nearly got shelved several times, but that would have only made me feel worse, so I was determined to finish it however long it took. Hope you enjoyed, and THANK YOU for reading it. You can always find me fangirling on Tumblr theawkwardanglophile!

Reviews bless my soul!