Title: Buried

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Lucy barely noticed the new safe house. She didn't take in any details of the living room as she sat curled on the sofa. It was a half hour after they'd left the station. Lucy knew she should be impressed with how quickly Grey had gotten them switched to this place; but she wasn't. Everything seemed to be catching up to her emotionally and she was spinning. As she drew in shaky breaths Lucy was angry with herself; she should have better control. She was a daughter of two shrinks. Yet here she was huddled on a sofa knees drawn to her chest as some twenty year old cold case threatened to end her life and everyone she cared about.

Tim was in the kitchen sitting at a small breakfast bar having just finished a Facetime conversation with Angela. Lucy listened with half an ear. She was glad Angela wasn't seriously injured. It would've added another stab of guilt to this mess and probably driven a wedge between her and Tim. Tim...Lucy's thoughts drifted back to the kiss and what he'd said in the gym. As it warmed her heart and the kiss made her toes curl it added another level of complication to the situation. She was still in training; still his rookie. The headache Lucy had been fighting began to throb and she rested her back and head against the pillows.

She and Jackson had thought they were doing the right thing. Trying to see if the rumor of his father was true. If it wasn't; clear his name. What was that phrase? The road to hell is paved with good intentions?

Tim finished the Facetime with Angela and felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Everyone was safe; no one was seriously hurt. Setting the phone on the counter Tim turned to check on Lucy and his heart squeezed at the sight. She was curled up in the left corner of the sofa; her head back against the cushions and her eyes closed. Lucy's face looked pale and Tim began to worry what all the stress was doing combined with her recent injuries. She hadn't had enough recovery time.

"Hey, let's get you to bed."Tim suggested as he stood and walked into the living room.

Lucy sat up and shook her head.

"I'm alright; just a headache."Lucy protested.

"You're still recovering from the surgery and the kidnapping."Tim said as he sat on the edge of the coffee table. "Rest while you can, boot."

Lucy reached out and took Tim's right hand in both of hers. He smiled reaching up and caressing her right cheek with his free hand. She leaned into it. This felt so normal; so natural. It was becoming easier to admit to himself that he loved Lucy. What was going to be hard was telling her.

"We need to talk about this."Lucy said quietly. "If we continue...I won't be your boot any longer."

"You're almost done with training and we would've parted ways."Tim reasoned as he lowered his mouth to Lucy's capturing it in a kiss.

They broke apart a few minutes later and Tim sighed resting his forehead against hers.

"I love you."Tim stated softly. "I have for awhile. I think this situation just knocked some sense into my thick head."

Lucy's mouth was dry as she stared at her partner. His words echoing through her tumbling thoughts.

'I love you.'

She could tell he meant it. Lucy knew she cared about Tim but was it love yet? Before she could think of a reply Tim kissed her once more.

"I just wanted you to know how I felt."Tim said as he brushed hair away from Lucy's face. "I know you care about me..."

Lucy searched her heart and she knew then beyond any doubt that she did love Tim. Ever since the quarantine things had been shifting; changing between them. She just hadn't realized the friendship was building to this. She smiled.

"I love you too."Lucy stated tenderly.

A smile lit up Tim's face as he rested a hand on Lucy's left cheek.

"We'll figure this out, Lucy. I promise."Tim said quietly.

"I know."Lucy agreed as they kissed once more. "I'm just scared that this complicates an already bad situation."

"No, it makes us stronger."Tim vowed. "We'll regroup and..."

Tim's phone rang and he got up and picked it off the kitchen counter. As he did he saw Grey's name on the screen.

"Bradford."Tim greeted tersely.

"We've got an arrest."Grey replied enthusiastically. "The BOLO on Reynolds finally paid off."

"The guy that stabbed me in the hospital?"Tim clarified exchanging a look with Lucy who was on her feet.

"Yes."Grey responded. "West's Dad has him in an interrogation room now. He's hopeful Reynolds will be the weak link."

"Me too."Tim said. "Anything we can do?"

"Not yet."Grey replied. "After West is done I'm going to set up a video call with you, Chen, Jackson, Nolan and Lopez. We'll get a new plan going to bring this to a conclusion."

"Okay."Tim acknowledged.

"Hang in there."Grey commented. "I know it's been tough. I'll text you when the link for the video call."

"Understood."Tim said as the call ended. He put the phone in his right jean pocket and met Lucy's anxious gaze.

"What is it?"Lucy asked as she stepped forward.

"They arrested Reynolds; West's Dad is questioning him now."Tim explained. "Grey's going to set up a video conference call with our group later so we can kick around ideas of how to end this."

"So it's good news for once."Lucy said with a smile.

Tim nodded and kissed Lucy before pulling her into an embrace resting his head on top of hers.

"This is a good sign, Lucy."Tim commented quietly

As they stood in silence wrapped in each others arms Tim just hoped he was right. If things continued to go south; if he couldn't protect her...With an effort Tim shoved the dark thoughts aside and tried to concentrate on the positives. This had to be a turning point; had to be.