The day after
Summary: as title says, what if Ashely shows up the morning after Tim and Lucy's moment at the Hospice and gets the wrong idea? Ignores the call between the two.
A/N: I don't own the rookie or it's characters. Also, for those still reading or following my other story, I'm a little stuck on it and I thought writing this would help break up the small case of writer's block that's disrupting my writing of that story.
Lucy stretched out from the couch at Tim's home as the alarm on her phone woke her up. She had drove Tim home last night and just like how he was there for her, she was there for him. He was quiet on the way over, his eyes still wet from unshed tears. She had walked him to his door and had been about to leave, but had changed her mind just as quickly as it wasn't right to just leave him like this after what he just went through with that bastard of a father of his,
Flashback
She had heard some of their 'talk' through the door, the walls were thin as well, not to the point that she could every word, just when they spoke loudly. Tom Bradford had a mean voice to go along with his mean rep. Her heart broke a little as she heard Tim,
" He was an abusive bastard! " Tom shouted.
" He was an abusive bastard! " Tim returned, his usually strong, unwavering voice cracking.
" You can't honestly be comparing me to Frank. I did what I did to make you stronger. And now look at you! "
" I am what I am to spite you! " Tim returned, his voice strong again.
She hadn't heard what else was said because they quieted down. The door opened and Tim came out, looking about ready to fall apart, his eyes wet with unshed tears and when he spoke, her heart broke more at the tone, after she asked him how it went,
" He wouldn't raise a single finger to protect his own family. But his mistress? " His voice just shy of being erratic.
They were quiet for what seemed like forever as he looked at her with his wet eyes and doing everything in his power to not breakdown in front of her,
" The Tim tests..." he started again, voice starting to crack again, " Those don't make me like him. "
Her eyes widened at that, " I know that. I..." She searched his eyes, seeing the hurt, the unsaid question of doubt,
" You're nothing like him. " She said and when he took a step back, " Oh no you don't. " She thought as she quickly went to him on instinct, knowing that he was closing himself off to her, but she wouldn't let him,
" Come here. " She said, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him to her, stepping on the tips of her toes to reach him, stepping back down as he bent down into the hug, his strong arms going around her as he pressed his face into her neck and shoulder as she repeated,
" You're nothing like him. "
He hadn't cried into her shoulder; he hadn't cried in the car or on the way back to his house. But when they were seated at his kitchen island, having a glass of whiskey and Tequilla respectfully; though she wondered why he even had her favorite Tequilla in his cabinet. Kojo leaning against his daddy's leg in support, sensing that he wasn't feeling all that great,
He finally let the dam break and the tears fell like a river. She abandoned her drink and moved his out of the way as she opened her arms to him again. She rubbed his back as he told her everything his dad had done to him, to his sister, to their mom, her own tears fell as she listened and held him. It made her want to go back to the Hospice and give his dad a piece of her mind and maybe a taste of his own medicine if he wasn't dying right now. Which is more than what she could say for the man, he probably would've beaten a dying man if he thought it'd make him feel better...okay she might give him a good hard slap to the face after she chewed his ass out for being an abusive prick to Tim, his sister, and their mother.
Thinking back on it, she had even more proof that Tim was nothing like Tom Bradford. Tim protected those he loved and cared about, Tim respected women, Tim didn't raise his hand to a woman or to a kid in anger. Tim was patient. Tim hated it when he saw proof of abuse in a home on a kid or a wife, sometimes a husband if they came across it. Tim had a good heart. Tim was a good man and will always be twice the man his father is.
She briefly wondered if Isobelle knew about his past childhood abuse and if he told Rachael anything about it, she doubted it. Genny probably told her husband about it, not all of it like she had done in therapy, but enough for him to get the idea. She'd probably tell her boys when they got older. But Tim didn't go to therapy, he bottled it up or took it out on a punching bag. He was good at compartmentalizing things, like going through 2 tours in Afghanistan, being wounded on the job 5 times; one of which she was witness to, dealing with the pressures that come with the job.
But the one thing that broke him? His own father. The man could walk into a burning building, keep his cool in a hail of bullets, keep his cool when on a chase, both in the Shop or on foot. Well not at first when she was first getting to know him, after their unplanned meeting with his at the time, estranged wife, he had gone into a tailspin until she pretty much reprimanded him, and he finally got his head back on straight.
It's part of the reason why she had decided to stay, after this emotional roll coaster, she was worried that he'd spin out again, only it'd be worse than what it was with Isobelle because his dad was a bigger trigger for him than Isobelle. The other reasons she was here was because he was her friend, he might deny it but she knows he considers her a friend just like Angela and Grey were. And she knows he knows it. He was there for her when her life had been turned upside down, twice now. She also couldn't stand to see someone she's come to care about to be in such pain.
She didn't know how long she held him like that, and she didn't care, she'd be there as long as he'd let her, even then she wouldn't leave him alone, she'd just keep coming back until she was sure he was better and was going to be okay.
She could feel her shirt getting wet from all of his tears and runny nose, but again, she didn't care or mind it. He had needed to let those emotions out or they would've consumed him. He was breathing slowly and deeply now, she continued to rub his back with one hand while the other cradled his head as he leaned into her shoulder.
Kojo had gotten up and laid his head between them, at some point on of Tim's hands had moved from her to the dog's head, unconsciously petting him, letting him know that he was okay, or that he would be and was thanking him for helping as well.
Tim finally raised his head up from her shoulder, a couple of stray tears still running down his cheeks, she reached up and gently wiped them away without a second thought,
" Better? " She asked gently.
" Yeah...thank you. " He replied, sniffing a bit, wiping at his eyes.
" You're welcome. " She replied back.
He looked to her ruined shirt then, " Ah shit. I'm sorry. " He said.
" It's fine. I'd do it again if it means helping you. " She said, brushing it off. It really wasn't that big of deal, it's just a shirt, it can be washed and dried later.
He got up and went back into his bedroom and came back with his white t-shirt and blue plaid pj pants. They each knew that she'd be staying over again anyway, he didn't have to say anything as he handed them to her, she took them and went to the bathroom to change as he made up the couch for her.
As well as wash her clothes so that they'd be clean when she went home tomorrow and not have to wear his tears and mucus on the way.
End flashback
Lucy went to the bathroom again, to wash her face of the still lingering sleep and to use the toilet. Coming out, she spotted her clothes on the coffee table, neatly folded and ready for her wear again, she smiled, any woman dating Tim would be a lucky girl indeed.
She frowned a bit at this thought as she knew that he was seeing someone, Ashley McGrady, Jerry McGrady's daughter. But it was still new, they weren't close enough yet for Tim to open up to her, not to the extent of what happened last night or meeting his kid sister, well that was more of an accidental meeting.
She decided to make them breakfast to pay him back for washing her clothes. As she made her way into the kitchen, she saw a calendar on the fridge that had a little note written in the square for today,
'Kojo's salmon and egg breakfast'
She grinned, so he takes the time to cook Kojo breakfast, does he? And he says she spoils him by getting him a new toy at the beginning of every month. She also saw a glass canister that was filled with little dog treats.
She continued to grin as she fixed both Kojo's and their breakfast. It was just about done when she heard the doorbell, she set skillets over and turned off the stove before going over and checking Tim's security system, it had a camera on the doorbell, and there on Tim's doorstep was Ashley, Tim's girlfriend.
Without thinking about it, Lucy turned off the alarm and went to answer the door, with a smile,
" Hi Ashley! " She greeted.
Ashley was stumped for a minute; another woman answered her boyfriend's door, and she was wearing what looked like his clothes and her hair was messy as though...
" Ashley? Everything okay? " Lucy asked.
Ashley shook her head, " Uh, yeah, uh, Lucy, right? " She replied, trying to be polite and not let her jealousy rise as she was sure there was a reasonable explanation as to why Lucy was here wearing Tim's clothes and having messy hair that looked like it had hands going through it...
" Yeah. Come on in, I'll go get Tim for you. Would you like some coffee or breakfast? " Lucy moved away for her to come in, Kojo barked at her as soon as she came in, causing her to jump.
" Kojo, no. Be nice. " Lucy said to the pit bull mix.
Kojo barked again, " Kojo! Don't make me go and get your daddy young man. " Lucy scolded him now like he was a misbehaving child, who now bowed his head in shame, looking pitiful.
" Sorry about that. He's a really a sweetheart. I'll be right back. " Lucy said as she turned back to Ashley and then went to go get Tim.
Ashley tried not to think about how Lucy knew where Tim's bedroom was or that it was obvious that she had made them breakfast, or that there were two tumblers of alcohol on the counter next to the sink that had been left out. One a dark amber color, the other clear.
" So, breakfast? " Lucy asked as she came back.
" Uh, no thank you. I'm not really a breakfast person. " Ashley replied as a shirtless Tim came out from the hall that led to his bedroom, he was rubbing one eye and looked like a train wreck, like he had a rough night or had been up most of the night...
Ashley mentally shook her head, no, there's probably another reasonable explanation as to why Tim looked this way.
She sat at the kitchen bar and watched as Lucy handed Tim a cup of coffee as he took a seat at the Island across from Lucy as she then dished out equal portions of scrambled eggs onto a plate, place bread in the toaster before taking the other skillet over to the dog water and food bowl stand, dishing out the eggs and some kind of meat mixed in into the food bowl,
" Kojo, come get your breakfast. " She called as she stood and came over to where the dish washer was and placed the skillet and spatula in it, along with the other skillet on the stove, the tumblers caught her eye and she dumped them out and placed them in as well.
She then went and brought the toast and fork over to where Tim and his plate were and placed the two pieces on them. Turning back and getting her own cup of coffee before finally sitting down.
They seemed to have forgotten that she was there as Lucy asked Tim, " You feel better? "
" Yeah. Not fully better, just better than what I've been feeling these last few days... " he bit into his eggs, groaning a bit at how good they obviously were,
" And thank you for staying last night. And for breakfast...wait, where's yours? " He continued after he swallowed, taking a drink of his coffee now, groaning again.
" You're welcome and thank you for washing my clothes, though you didn't have to. I could've just washed them when I got back home. And don't worry about me, I'll get something on the way to work. " She replied, smiling and seeming to enjoy seeing him liking her cooking and coffee.
Ashley dug her nails into her hand. Tim was so relaxed with Lucy, more than how he was with her...maybe they were an item before? Was that why they were so comfortable around each other? Why Lucy was so familiar with Tim's home? Why Tim walked around with his shirt off in front of her? Did he even realize that he didn't put a shirt on? A flash of jealousy ran through her as she thought she saw Lucy's eye rove over Tim's torso.
" You going to go see Genny today? " Lucy asked again after a few minutes of silence.
Genny? Ashley thought.
" Yeah. I need to apologize for being a major jackass of a brother. " He replied.
She's met his sister?! Who else in his family has she met? Ashley thought with jealousy, Tim has already met her dad and they weren't even dating at the time.
" You weren't being a jackass. You found a mysterious gun in the wall of your childhood home and wanted to know why it was there. And you may have needed a break from being back there after so long. " Lucy replied back with understanding and what also sounded like sympathy.
" Yeah. And boy did I. I still cannot believe why that bastard... " Tim was getting upset again, Lucy reached out and held his hand in support, he grasped it back, doing his damnest to not start bawling again in front of her.
Lucy didn't say anything, only rubbed gentle soothing circles on the top of his hand.
Ashley was curious as to what had transpired, but she was also getting more jealous and upset at seeing how the two were more like a couple than friends.
But she remained quiet as she continued to watch the two finish their breakfast and coffee, place the dishes in the dishwasher, Lucy go into the living-room to grab her clothes, go to the bathroom down the hall in the opposite direction of Tim's room to change, Tim let his dog out to the back yard to do its business, Lucy come back from the bathroom, hair up in a ponytail, socks on her feet, Tim brought Kojo back in, who went to Lucy, who bent down and gave the dog multiple kisses, as the dog returned them with massive slobbery ones, making Lucy laugh.
" Mommy loves you too baby. " She said as Kojo stopped licking her face, she rubbed his head and gave him a final kiss before getting back up to face Tim, as another wave of jealousy came over Ashley,
" You going to be, okay? " She asked him.
Tim, who was standing in the middle of the kitchen, arms crossed, looking a bit annoyed about something, replied,
" Yeah. I'll be alright. "
There seemed to be a silent talk between them as they stared at each other for a moment before Lucy nodded and said,
" Alright, I need to head into work soon. You call me if you and Genny need any more help with the house? "
" You know I will. But I need to apologize first for running out like I did. "
" She's your sister Tim. She'll forgive you and understand. If you just explain it to her from your side. "
" I hope. "
" She will. If she doesn't forgive you today, I'll buy you dinner as an apology and then we can strategize on how to get her to forgive you later. " She said teasingly with a matching grin, to which Tim gave her a look that Ashley guessed was supposed to be like 'don't start' but Lucy only laughed and took her leave, grabbing her purse from the side table by the couch, taking her keys out as she called,
" Bye Tim! Bye Kojo, be good for your sitter! Bye Ashley! "
" Bye Lucy! " Tim called back, a slight grin on his face as though he was amused by Lucy's antics or enjoying it or finding it adorable, Ashley wasn't sure what to think of that grin.
Kojo barked in reply.
Ashley remained quiet until the door shut. She turned to Tim, he seemed to be oblivious as to what had just happened since she arrived.
" So, what did you want to do this morning? " He asked.
Ashley remained silent.
" Is something wrong? " He asked, wondering why she wasn't talking to him.
She came right out with it, " Did you screw Lucy last night? "
He faltered and nearly choked on his spit, coughing, he replied, " The hell Ashley! Why would you ask that?! "
" She was wearing your clothes. You came out of your room without a shirt on. She made you and your dog breakfast. There were glasses of alcohol on by the sink. She's obviously been here before, because she knows where everything is. "
" Now wait a minute. " Tim said, standing up straighter, " Yes, she stayed the night, but she stayed on the couch. Yes, we had one drink but didn't finish it for a completely different reason then what you are thinking. This is my home, if I wanted to come out here in my boxers I can. And there have even been times she has seen me without my shirt on, but I'm not the only one, we have a shared workout space at work, you know this. But she is my friend and my partner nothing more. "
" Then you must've been something before us then. "
" Before us, I was a T.O. Lucy was my Boot. I have never crossed a line with any of my Boots. "
" Now you're a sgt. and she's your partner. " Ashley stated with a withering tone.
" Lucy is not like that. I'd rather get shot in the gut again or be hit with another blood virus then be accused of being a cheating bastard like my father. If you can't trust me around other women, who are my friends, or even just female my co-workers... "
" Then I guess we're done here. " She interrupted, getting up and leaving, Kojo barking after her,
" Kojo, no. " he commanded, following after her to lock the door back and set his alarm again.
When she left the driveway, he took a few deep breaths before going to his room to put on some gym shorts and get his gloves for the punching bag set up in his spare bedroom that he turned into a home gym. He needed to calm down first before going to see his sister.
I'll end this here and see what ya'll think about it. I may continue it, or I may just leave it as is.
