Sorry this is short; real life has been busy.

Title: Buried

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: see part one

The meeting with Grey finally ended and Lucy was emotionally and physically exhausted. She wouldn't admit it to anyone but Lucy was starting to feel the pain from her injuries. All she wanted was a long hot shower and to curl up on the couch and binge Netflix. Unfortunately that wasn't going to happen and Lucy needed to find her partner and fill him in.

Even with how mad Tim was Lucy knew he was still somewhere nearby She found him in the gym beating the crap out of a standing bag. Watching him move Lucy's thoughts wandered somewhere they shouldn't. Tim had changed into gray sweats and they were doing nothing to hide the well toned muscles and other aspects. Lucy swallowed hard and forced her feet to move. Their were bigger issues than her attraction to a man that she didn't know where she stood with him. Lucy walked closer knowing he could see her in the mirror. Thankfully their was no one else in the gym for which Lucy was grateful. She didn't have the energy to be calm,cool and collected. What Lucy needed was her partner's support; her friend's support. She didn't know if she'd walk out of that gym alone.

"You got the green light."Tim stated a few minutes later as he stopped and steadied the bag.

"Yes."Lucy affirmed as she watched Tim take off the gloves and turn to face her. "We're a go for tonight."

Lucy saw Tim stiffen before walking over to an equipment storage bin open it and toss the gloves inside. He picked up a clean towel and began to mop the sweat off his neck and face. She didn't miss the fact that he hadn't come any closer to her. Finally Lucy couldn't stand the silence or the tension any more.

"I told Grey I wanted you there."Lucy stated quietly.

After a long moment Tim threw the towel in a dirty towel basket near the wall and met her gaze. Lucy was stunned at the turmoil there. John's words from earlier echoed through Lucy's thoughts.

'Tim, doesn't let many people in.'

Lucy knew that was true. Especially after all Tim went through with his failed marriage to Isabel. However, Lucy knew, she knew deep down that things had changed between them. Long before this threat on her life. She saw that knowledge now in the turmoil of emotions on Tim's face.

"I want to see this through to the end."Tim said breaking the silence. "I just don't know if I can."

"Why?"Lucy demanded blinking away tears.

"Lucy..."Tim started than faltered.

"You're important to me."Lucy continued her voice wavering. "I need people around me that I..."

Her words were cut off as Tim suddenly closed the space between them. He gripped Lucy by the shoulders and pulled her to him and captured her lips in a long kiss. A kiss that blanked out everything else. Lucy responded to it wrapping her arms around his shoulders and closing her eyes.

As soon as his lips touched hers Tim was cursing himself silently. Way to complicate a situation, Bradford. Still as their bodies melded and the kiss deepened part of Tim wasn't regretting the action. When they finally came up for air Lucy's brown eyes were wide and one hand was touching Tim's right cheek caressing it. Tim took a moment to get his breathing under control.

"This is why I don't know if I can finish this; being your body guard."Tim explained huskily. "If I fail...it'll haunt me forever. Whatever you and West have stirred up, Lucy, they aren't playing. They're willing to take out anybody..."

"That's why we have to go through with this plan."Lucy insisted her voice catching. "I can't have anybody else get hurt because of this. Will you please at least hear what we have planned?"

Tim knew that determined look all too well. That determination was what scared him right now. While it was brave that she was willing to take risks to end this it was also such a bad idea to poke the hornets nest. In the end Lucy was his partner and he owed it to her to at least listen.

"Alright."Tim agreed reluctantly. "Tell me this great idea that's going to get me off body guard duty."

A wide smile crossed Lucy's face as she took his right hand in hers and led him over to a bench by the wall.