Hi, I'm back with another little Chenford drabble. It's a short one written while trying to find the motivation to write my lab reports so... Does this count as procrastination if I'm being productive?

Anyway, I think I have a thing for writing stories where people are sleeping. Maybe it's just because they're always so cute and fluffy and allow those big gruff characters like Tim to be soft (mostly) without others seeing it. I guess it's also because there's that innocence and trust with sleepy stories, and our favourite strong and butt-kicking characters are able to let their guard down and trust their fierce protectors.

By the way, this is pre-relationship Chenford so it features #Clueless Chenford and #Nyla Knows.

I hope you enjoy this little one-shot.


"Hey Bradford." Harper knocks against the glass door, not bothering to wait for his acknowledgement before walking in. "Have you seen..."

The finger on his lips is enough to silence her, and she follows his gaze to the couch... where Lucy, still dressed in her blues, was sound asleep.

Carefully, Tim gets up from behind his desk, and quietly ushers Nyla out, making sure to close the door softly behind them.

"Is she ok?" The woman asks, concerned, as they walk a few steps down the corridor.

"Yeah." Tim nods, sparing a glance at the closed door. "She's just been having a rough few nights. Tamara called saying she's been having nightmares and barely sleeping."

"So you let her take a nap in your office?" The detective gives him a confused look. "Why not just send her home?"

"We were finishing up a report on the Renato case." Tim shakes his head. "I was writing the last few lines when I realised she had gone quiet and I looked over to see she was asleep."

"And you just let her?"


"Chen." Tim calls out softly, trying to see if she would wake up. "Lucy."

Seeing that she was fast asleep, he takes the few short strides to his couch, and grabs the blanket she made him buy from the closet. It had seemed like such a strange thing to buy then, but now he was glad he did.

Gently, he eases her from her upright position, laying her head against a pillow at the armrest of the couch. He contemplates removing her shoes for a minute but decides to leave them on; she'd be less embarrassed if she woke up with them on than if she did off.

Then he throws the blanket over her, tucking it in around the sides because he knows she gets cold in her sleep no matter how many layers she's wearing.

And even though he doesn't know why, he doesn't resist the urge to gently stroke her head before getting up and returning to his desk.

From there, she looks even smaller, her small frame barely taking up the entire couch, and he can't help the smile on his lips as he continues on with his paperwork.


"She was obviously tired." Tim explains. "I can't have a tired officer patrolling. She could cause an accident or a suspect could easily get on top of her."

"Mmhmm." Nyla smiles, shaking her head, as she turns to walk away. "Just ask her to come find me once she wakes up. We found something on one of the jewellery cases and we need some...additional insight."

"Undercover?" Tim groans, knowing Lucy would more than likely jump at the chance to test out her still developing UC skills.

"Not sure yet." A smirk plays on the detective's lips. "It may be."

"Ok." Walking back into his office, he makes sure to replace the blanket before it could slip off her shoulders.

"Tim?" Her sleepy voice asks, but he's quick to shush her, urging her back to sleep.

"Just sleep, Lucy." He rubs a blanket-covered shoulder as he sits on the table beside her. "Rest."

"Ok." She shifts slightly so she's turned towards him, eyes still tightly shut and he smiles. "G'night."

"Night, Lucy."


And this has been an AngelFanfics productions.