NOTE: WE are back to the prologue of this story in the time frame.
Chapter 16
Her finger slowly followed the raindrop making an erratic path down the window glass. A tear seemed to mimic the droplet of rain as it slid down her cheek. She had cried so many tears in the last few hours causing redness and burning on her face. Her eyelashes fluttered before she pressed her face against the glass of the window. The coolness of the glass was welcomed against her tear-drenched skin. She drew in a shattered breath trying to pull herself together. She failed.
It seemed like this week was full of failures. Never-ending moments of the reality of failing when she had needed to handle things correctly. The way she was taught to handle things by him. Especially now, Lucy needed to handle things like Tim would expect her to.
The soft sound of the machine caused her to pull her face from touching the window. Lucy watched his chest rise and fall keeping rhythm with the machine. If it weren't for the tubes, Lucy could pretend that Tim was breathing on his own. She could pretend that today didn't happen. She could pretend that Tim was awake so he could help her. She felt so selfish about needing him and his guidance when he lay there so still. So very still.
Lucy's heart fluttered at the thought that this would be a great Tim test, if only it was. But it wasn't. It was real!
With a deep swallow of bile that burned her throat, Lucy took Tim's hand. She whispered almost inaudibly.
"Tim, please wake up. I need you to tell me how to feel. What to do in this situation". Lucy bit her lip so hard that it caused a trickle of blood to stain her already red lips. "I need you to tell me how to handle the fact I killed someone today. I need you to tell me it is okay not to care that I killed someone. Please, Tim, please tell me I'm not a monster because all I keep thinking is I wish I had killed a few seconds earlier."
That was the reality of it. Lucy had killed someone. She needed Tim to help her face the reality of that fact.
Sergeant Grey interrupted Lucy's whispers. "Hey. I'm sorry for just now showing up. I had to wait to sign Rosalind back over to the FBI."
Lucy nodded as she watched Grey enter the room. "I'm used to seeing him be strong. Not like this."
"He is strong. Bradford is one of the strongest." Grey squeezed Lucy's shoulder. "I'm glad they are letting you stay with him."
"It helped that you claimed he needed protective detail." Lucy smiled weakly. "Thanks for assigning me to that duty."
"It was easy enough. You are on leave due to the shooting. They don't need to know that at the hospital though." Grey sat down next to Lucy. "You need a liaison for the shooting incident. I'd say Tim but…"
"Angela Lopez." Lucy brushed a strand of hair from sticking to her face. "Is that okay?"
"Yes, Angela is good." Grey stood up. "He's going to be fine. Tim is a fighter. Especially when he has something to fight for."
Lucy furrowed her eyebrows in confusion when Grey winked at her. She couldn't question it as he left her to be alone with Tim.
It seemed to be nonstop of people stopping by to check on Tim. Lucy could tell they were checking on her as well. Genny left to settle at a hotel. Lucy would let her stay at her place or Tim's but it wasn't up to her as far as Tim's place. As far as her place, Tamara was due later that night. She had told Lucy she'd be there as soon as possible. Both places were closer to the hospital than Genny's place. Genny and her husband insisted on being near so they reserved a hotel room.
When Grace was off duty, she stopped by. "Here is an extra blanket and pillow. You can make yourself a bed in the extra bed. The staff knows you're allowed to be here. There is a police officer outside the door as well. If you need anything, I spoke to the nurses at the nurse's station. They are a great group. They will be glad to help."
Grace walked over and checked Tim's vital signs. She smiled at Lucy. "I'll say this much. He sure is a handsome one."
"Yeah." Lucy didn't know why she blushed at that. She knew Grace was trying to take her mind off Tim's condition. "He has told me."
They both laughed at that fact. Grace reminded Lucy before leaving. "Remember, if you need anything, ask one of the nurses. That includes a fresh shower or scrubs in the morning."
"Thanks, Grace. My friend is bringing me some fresh clothes. I may take them up on a shower in the morning though. When will he wake up?" Lucy's eyes begged for good news.
"That depends on Tim. Right now, he's in an induced coma to manage his breathing and pain. He can probably still hear you. He will be weaned off that in about 12 hours. Then Tim will need to start responding on his own. Don't expect much tonight." Grace explained.
"If he doesn't respond like he should, what then?" Lucy blinked back a fresh onslaught of tears.
"Don't think that way. From the little I know of him, he's stubborn. Let's let Tim show how stubborn he can be." Grace assured her. "Dr. Phillips will be the attending physician tomorrow morning. He is a good doctor. He will be straight with you on Tim's condition."
"Thanks, again." Lucy was very grateful for all Grace was doing to help.
That night, Lucy fell in and out of sleep. She had tried to settle in the bed beside Tim. When she would doze off, she'd wake up with a jolt. She constantly would glance over Tim's way. She needed to see he was still there.
At Mid-Wilshire Station, news of Tim's condition had all the station on edge. On night shift, Grey and Angela had met in private to discuss the case. The information they had was to be shared between the two.
Grey laid the small camera on the desk in front of him. "It was found in a tree in front of Rosalind's house. Someone was viewing the whole time. Forensics couldn't trace where the feed went."
"No doubt it somehow was for Rosalind." Angela breathed out in frustration. "But we checked her thoroughly."
"Yes. We did." Grey sat at his seat behind the desk. "I think she may have another accomplice. Someone had to warn Ashley McGrady we were coming."
"I agree." Angela paced back and forth in front of Grey. "No way would she know to be waiting on the roof for us to show up."
"I checked the cameras here. It was Detective Barrett. She was able to get information back and forth to Rosalind if needed. She is being questioned now. However, she claims she only gave her a cellphone. Nothing more."
"Do you believe her?" Angela stopped her pacing.
"I'm not sure. We have no proof of anything else right now." Grey stood up. "I want this to be over. I guess I'm hoping she is the last one working with Rosalind."
"Let's just see where this goes." Angela sighed. "I think we've got it wrapped up."
"I hope so." Grey admitted. "We all need our lives to go on."
Once Lucy woke up to see a nurse checking on Tim. The nurse smiled sweetly. "Your husband is checking off all the marks."
Lucy started to explain he wasn't her husband but refrained. She nodded before settling back down in the bed.
"Do you want me to see if I can get a doctor to get you something to relax you? I know you've barely slept?" The nurse questioned as she finished up taking Tim's vital signs.
"I don't want to miss him waking up." Lucy explained.
"You won't. He's not going to be responsive right now. I know you want to be ready and awake when he is able to respond." The nurse smiled sweetly.
"I have some tea my friend brought me when she brought me a change of clothes. If I could get some hot water, I'll use it." Lucy knew the nurse was right. "I'd appreciate it. If it is no bother."
"I can do that." The nurse left to get the hot water.
The next day was chaotic as far as Lucy was concerned. They had begun weaning Tim off the medication mid morning. Almost all of the usual group showed up to check on Tim. Even Smitty dropped by to bring Tim a huge basket of chocolates donated by the Mid-Wilshire front desk. When Lucy explained that Tim wouldn't be able to eat it for a while, Smitty took the basket with him, taking a piece of chocolate as he went.
By later that afternoon, Tim still wasn't responding. The doctor or nurses didn't seem to be worried about it. However, Lucy was a nervous wreck. She could feel herself holding back tears every time a new person walked into the room to ask how Tim was. She felt herself wanting to break down when any nurse walked in to check on him.
Lucy took Tim's hand in hers. "I know it hasn't been that long but I really miss you. I need you, Tim." Lucy ran her finger over Tim's strong jaw line. She breathed out. "You are handsome."
She felt Tim squeeze her hand at her words. Lucy wanted to shout out loud but instead cherished the small squeeze of Tim's hand before calling a nurse to the room.
