Title: Falling Apart

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Lucy was about to fall into the kiss when a thought made her pull away. She narrowed her eyes at Tim who was looking at her with trepidation.

"What about Rachel?"Lucy demanded.

She'd set her friend up with Tim after all. Lucy wasn't about to be the one to cause her hurt. Tim sighed and sat back against the driver's door.

"We broke up."Tim said softly.

"What?When?"Lucy asked with concern.

"After we found you. When everyone was at t he hospital."Tim explained as he met Lucy's gaze. "Rachel had suspected for awhile. However, she saw that I was more worried and concerned for you than a co-worker or friend should be. I didn't want to hurt her, but we both knew if we kept going that it'd end badly."

"I'm still your rookie, Tim."Lucy pointed out in an unsteady voice. "I want to finish my training with you; I feel I earned that."

"So I stepped over the line?"Tim asked quietly. "I'm just a friend to you?"

Loaded thought as she mimicked Tim's position of leaning against the passenger door. She could still feel the chemistry from their kiss. If Lucy was honest with herself for months she hadn't been able to define the bond she had with Tim. He'd become such a large part of her life.

"No, you're not just a friend."Lucy said with a sigh. "I do care about you; a lot."

Tim felt his heart leap at Lucy's words. He reached across and took her hands in his interlacing their fingers.

"I know you want to finish training with me,"Tim began. "But we could talk to Harper. You get along well with her."

"That'd leave you with Nolan."Lucy pointed out.

"Maybe or I have the Sgt's exam in a few weeks. Once I get on that list I could be placed anywhere in the city."Tim continued hopefully.

"True."Lucy said looking down at their hands.

Tim saw the scratches and bruises that were still there. Evidence of how she tried to free herself. Of how hard she fought to stay alive. He freed a hand and reached up to caress Lucy's right cheek. He was heartened when she leaned into his touch and closed her eyes.

"I do care about you, Lucy."Tim stated huskily as he moved closer. "I don 't know how to describe it. I just know when I thought I was too late. When you weren't breathing; everything in my life shifted. I realized how important you'd become to me. I wasn't going to let you go without a fight."

Lucy knew Tim. Knew how much each word he'd just said cost him. The emotions she saw in his eyes told her what he was saying was the truth. His touch showed her how much he cared. Question was did she want to take a chance and give her heart to Tim Bradford? Lucy scoffed at the last thought. Truth was he'd had it for awhile and she hadn't realized. Lucy freed her hands and cupped Tim's face. As he smiled she leaned in and kissed him deeply. Close to fifteen minutes later Tim reluctantly stopped their kissing and pulled back. Both were breathing heavily.

"Want to go back to my place and we'll order dinner in?"Tim suggested with a grin.

"Sounds like a wonderful idea."Lucy replied with a smile.

Tim leaned over and kissed Lucy quickly once more. Then he put the truck into drive and pulled out of the parking lot.