Title: Something Worthwhile
author: Cindy Ryan
Notes and summary: See part one

John stepped into the station's break room to get coffee on his way to roll call. He saw Lucy sitting at a back table drinking her own coffee with a catalog spread on the table in front of her. She was engrossed in what she was reading and didn't see him. John took a moment and watched her moving out of the way of foot traffic. He was man enough to admit he missed her. Their friendship was still strong but they were not hanging out as much as they had been before she became involved with Bradford.

John knew the last few weeks had been tough on his friend. She'd endured it like the strong confident woman she was, but John knew it'd taken it's toll. Nobody liked their personal lives spread out for vultures to swoop at. Talia had warned her, but even with that forewarning no one is quite prepared for an onslaught.

Shaking himself mentally John continued towards the coffee machine and got his favorite concoction. One thing he had to give Bradford credit for; Tim had come to Lucy's defense more than once. Times John was sure she wasn't even aware of. Still it hadn't been enough to move Tim Bradford onto his friend's list. John wasn't sure the man would ever be. What mattered was Lucy seemed to be happy. As much as John wished their relationship could've lasted life was too short not to be happy. That was why he'd started over in L.A. If Bradford made Lucy happy John was going to have to find a way to live with it.

"I didn't think they made those any more."John commented as he reached Lucy's table. "What are you going old school on?"

Lucy glanced up and smiled before turning the catalog so John could see as he sat down.

"Real estate still puts them out."Lucy replied as she took a sip of coffee.

"Thought you were happy with your murder discounted apartment?"John asked as he looked over the spread of condos.

"I am."Lucy explained."Tim suggested we find a place of our own."

"Really?"John asked covering the pang of hurt that he didn't quite understand."Big step."

"Yeah, I know."Lucy agreed as she turned the catalog back to her and folded it and put it away. "almost time for roll call. Ready?"

"For another exciting day in sunny L.A?"John quipped as he stood. "Always."

As they walked to roll call John tried to wrestle in his thoughts and emotions. He and Lucy had both moved on from their romance. From what he'd been able to piece together Bradford had been to hell and back with his wife Isabel and her drug addiction. If anybody could be a good influence on Bradford it was Lucy. John had been concerned that she was a rebound for Bradford but as the months went by that seemed less and less likely. He remembered his earlier warning to Tim.

'Is this where you tell me you'll hang me off a bridge if I break her heart?'Tim taunted.

'I was thinking skyscraper, but same concept.'Nolan responded.

Taking their normal seats at roll call John realized he would protect Lucy from anything. Even at the risk of their friendship. He really hoped that wouldn't include Tim Bradford.

Early afternoon Lucy found herself at a marina just north of Long Beach. It was not a pretty day to be at the ocean. Despite the song it did rain in southern California. A steady rain had started late morning and had continued not showing any signs of letting up. Lucy and her T.O. Officer Martin Johnson had responded to a robbery call at a small cafe at the marina. That had escalated when the robber had taken a waitress hostage and dragged her outside holding her at gunpoint. Now Lucy was behind her shop with the older blond T.O guns drawn. Backup had arrived in the form of Tim and West and Lopez. Lucy hadn't worked with Tim for a few days so it had brightened her mood when he pulled up.

"SWAT's on their way."Johnson called to the young black haired robber. "If I were you I'd end this before they get here."

"You're not me!"The youth snarled back.

Lucy took a few steps away from the cover of the main part of the body of the SUV moving towards the hood. The squads were parked near the cafe close as they could get. The water was inches away so Lucy had to watch her step. She knew she was straying from protocol. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Tim shoot her a warning glance.

"Why don't you tell us what's going on?"Lucy began wanting to keep the thief talking. "Maybe we can help."

The waitress took advantage of the youth's distraction and bit down on the arm holding her. The robber yelped and before he could recover the brown haired woman broke free and ran. The rest happened so fast Lucy's mind could barely register. She saw the robber turn and glare at her. He squeezed the trigger and Lucy felt pain erupt in her chest as the bullet hit her protective vest. The impact sent her flying and just before Lucy hit the water she heard Tim shout her name.