Title: Buried

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

An hour and a half later Tim stood looking at Lucy's still and small form in the hospital bed. Fragile was one word Tim would never use to describe Lucy. Now she looked exactly that. It made Tim want to hit something.

It shook Tim more than he wanted to admit how close he'd been to losing his partner. Mark was right Lucy Chen had become his partner. The ER docs had been amazed Lucy was in as good of shape as she was when she arrived at the hospital. Still they'd rushed Lucy into the OR leaving Tim standing in the ER with her blood on his hands and clothes.

A groan jarred Tim from his thoughts and he moved closer to his rookie's bedside. The nurse said Lucy could come around at any time. He sat in the plastic visitor's chair which was too small for his tall frame.

"Boot?"Tim called quietly.

Lucy shifted slightly. It was a small movement but enough to give Tim hope that she was regaining consciousness. Suddenly the hairs on the back of Tim's neck stood up. His right hand instantly went to his gun since he was still in uniform. A footfall as Tim started to stand and something heavy came down on the back of Tim's skull. Tim had moved so he didn't catch the full impact but it was enough to daze him.

Tim's attacker moved fast. The man got a punch in to Tim's stomach and another quick blow to the right side of Tim's neck. Tim cursed and kicked the chair into his attacker. He used the moment to tackle, but once again the man twisted and broke free. Enough, Tim had to get the man away from Lucy. Obviously she was the target. Tim hit the man in the jaw and even in the dim light of the room Tim could see he'd done some damage. The intruder shook his head to clear it and Tim brought his weapon up.

"LAPD!"Tim shouted. "On your knees!"

The power went out plunging the entire floor into darkness.

"Stay with him!"Grey ordered sharply.

In Jackson West's dark hospital room John Nolan moved carefully closer to his friend's still form.

Nolan had been called in once Lucy's car had been discovered.

"Yes, Sir."Nolan acknowledged.

While Los Angeles was infamous for rolling blackouts John's instincts were screaming that this was not a normal power outage. The timing to Lucy and Jackson's attack was too coincidental. He heard Grey barking orders into the radio. John also heard Grey trying to call Tim and getting no response. That sent a chill down John's spine. If someone could get past Tim Bradford...John squelched the thought before it could finish. Lucy couldn't have a better protector than her T.O.

Tim acted fast swinging his weapon to where he'd last seen the other man. The man hadn't been on his knees yet but he'd been lowering himself. Hands gripped Tim's wrists trying to disarm him. Tim swore again and kneed the other man aiming for his stomach. He punched but hit nothing but air. Tim heard Grey calling him over the radio but had no time to answer. The emergency lights flickered on illuminating the hall in faint white light. It trickled in to Lucy's room giving Tim enough light to see the intruder going to Lucy with small knife. Tim saw the weapon pierce the area above Lucy's right shoulder blade. Blood bloomed and tainted the white sheets.

Tim tackled the man driving them both into the wall. Firey pain swept up Tim's right side as the man stabbed him. He made a grab for the attacker anyway but missed. The man ran out the door and disappeared into the crowded hall. Tim grabbed his radio giving a description of the man. Grey appeared in the doorway a moment later worry on the older man's face.

"You okay?"Grey asked as he entered the room."Hospital's on lockdown."

Tim tried to stand but the room wobbled. He grimaced and pulled his shirt up to look at the stab wound. He was relieved to see it wasn't deep but he heard Grey curse and call for a doctor.

"Just nicked me."Tim began but his vision blurred and he felt consciousness slipping.

As he lost the battle to stay on his feet he saw Grey rush forward. Vaguely he heard his C.O calling for a doctor. He glanced over at Lucy and his last image before darkness closed in was his rookie's pale face and the bloody sheets.

Tim slowly awoke. His whole body ached and his right side felt like someone was stabbing it with a burning fire poker. It was that pain however that brought memories crashing back. Tim swore and sat up opening his eyes. Chen! He looked around to find he was laying on a hospital bed. Footsteps drew Tim's attention to the door and he saw Grey walking towards him.

"Easy."Grey ordered. "Don't tear your stitches."

"How's Chen?"Tim demanded in a tight voice.

"Came to after the attack."Grey explained quietly. "Fortunately doc was able to stitch her up without going back into surgery; wound wasn't deep. Neither was yours."

Tim closed his eyes in relief and sank back against the pillow. That memory of her pale face and the white bloody sheets would haunt him for awhile.

"Tell me we got him."Tim prompted as he opened his eyes.

"Not yet."Grey explained grimly. "Hospital security found a busted door in the basement normally used for deliveries. Good news we were able to pull prints off the chair and I've put a BOLO out."

"Damn."Tim swore."Who is he?"

"Marcus Reynolds, age twenty-five matches the description you gave.I've got guards posted on both West and Chen."Grey continued solemnly. "If you hadn't been in there with Chen I don't like to think of what the outcome could've been."

"He still got past me."Tim replied angrily.

"Don't beat yourself up."Grey commented. "Nobody was expecting an attack."

"They left them there to die."Tim said solemnly. "What the hell did West and Chen stumble into?"

"We're going to find out."Grey promised as he moved to the door. "Try to get some rest."

Tim watched Grey leave knowing that rest wouldn't be a possibility. No matter what Grey said Tim had still failed to protect his partner. That was a mistake that wouldn't happen again.