Shots Fired
This story is loosely based off the events that took place in season 5 episodes 20 and 21. Hope you enjoy!
It's been one month since Isabel came back to town and Lucy went undercover with her. Although the first day's mission had been successful, and their target Dara had come out alive the team believed that Frank Tesca had murdered his brother Ed for putting out the hit on his daughter. The day Frank was released from prison Tim was sitting in his office when Grey walked in.
Tim: Sergent.
Sergent Grey: We need to talk about Lucy
Tim: You mean officer Chen?
Sergent Grey: No, Tim, I mean Lucy. I'm not here to talk to you Sergent to Sergent, I'm here to talk to you as a friend regarding your girlfriend.
Tim automatically sits up straighter and motions for Sergent Grey to take a seat. He's slowly starting to panic trying to remember what she told him her day was looking like today and finally after what felt like an eternity Sergent Grey continued.
Sergent Grey: Captain Andersen came to me this morning requesting Lucy for a UC job.
Tim: Okay
Tim is slowly starting to fear where this is going.
Sergent Grey: They want her to officially try to infiltrate the Tesca family to get Frank to admit to killing Ed
Tim: but
Sergent Grey: The task force believes that it will take between 6 months to a year.
Tim: Oh, did Captain Andersen talk to Lucy about this yet?
Sergent Grey: She did
Tim: So then why are you here? Shouldn't this be a conversation between me and Lucy where she tells me she's going?
Sergent Grey: Tim, she didn't say yes.
Tim: What? What do you mean she didn't say yes? Why wouldn't she say yes?
Sergent Grey: Captain Andersen told Lucy that the task force had chosen Isabel to be her handler because Isabel knew the Tesca's really well, but after yesterday her cover was blown so Isabel can't do it herself, but she will still be good to have on the team. Captain Andersen didn't think it would be a big deal for either of them to work together considering they made it work yesterday but now she's wondering if Lucy is saying no because she, as your current girlfriend, doesn't want to work with your ex-wife.
Tim: We both know Lucy; I doubt that would be her issue. I still don't understand why you are coming to me with all of this. Wasn't the point of me moving to metro being so that I am not in her direct chain of command and that I should have no say in what jobs she's given or takes.
Sergent Grey: Your right, and that's why I said I'm here as a friend. I have no clue why she said no. Captain Andersen is giving her the day and then will ask again tomorrow if she still says no, we will need to find someone else.
Tim: If she doesn't want to do it, why not just find someone else now?
Sergent Grey: Because Lucy is perfect for this job Tim, and we all know that. Andersen also promised her an immediate promotion with a spot in narcotics when this job is complete.
Tim: I can talk to her, but I can't promise she will say yes.
Sergent Grey: I understand, just talk to her, find out why she said no. That's all I ask for.
Sergent Grey walked out closing the door behind him when Tim put his head in his hands trying to figure out his emotions. He thought that Lucy going under for extended periods of time would make him upset and be hard for him to handle, so why was the idea of her saying no and not going more terrifying to him? Tim slowly straightened up, gathered up his stuff and walked outside to his car.
Lucy was not supposed to have been at work today at all and even if she had been there today, like Grey made it sound like he hadn't seen her, and he was really missing her right now. He drove home quietly and stopped in a little store about 5 blocks from her apartment and he picked up some flowers and chocolates and a small bottle of tequila. He got to her apartment shortly afterwards and hesitantly he knocked on her door. He waited a minute until the door opened and he was face to face with Tamara.
Tamara: You brought me flowers, how nice
Tim: Uh, actually these are for Lucy, she around?
Tamara: Duh, I know that, I saw her go to her room several hours ago havent seen her since.
Tim: You mind if I come in and check in her room?
Tamara: You, your never allowed in this apartment
Tim: Tamara
Tamara: Fine, fine come in, but tell Lucy not to yell at me if she's mad at me for letting you in.
Tim: Thanks. I'll make sure your safe.
Tim walks into the aparment and puts down his purchases. He then walks into Lucy's bedroom to find her crying on the bed. Tim walks over to her, sits down next to her and holds her tightly allowing her tears to fall before he starts talking.
Tim: Lucy, baby it's me. Whats going on?
Lucy: They want me to go undercover
Tim: I know
Lucy: You do? I thought you werent supposed to be in the loop about these things.
Tim: I'm not, but after you said no to captain andersen, Grey came to ask me if I knew why you said no.
Lucy: I didn't say no, Tim.
Tim: I'm confused here, because Grey told me you didn't say yes.
Lucy: That's correct. I didn't say yes, but I didn't say no.
Tim: I'm not following.
Lucy: Andersen wants Isabel to be my handler because of her history with the Tesca family
Tim: And you'r not okay with that?
Lucy: No.
Tim: Why not? I thought you and Isabel were fine yesterday
Lucy: We were
Tim: So then whats the problem?
Lucy: The problem Tim is that she's your ex-wife and I'm your girlfriend. I'm not 100% confident that she wont get me killed outhere just so she could get you back to herself again.
Tim: Lucy, I don't think Isabel would ever do that to me.
Lucy: Maybe I'm over reacting and maybe I'm being irrational. But one of the most important things they taught us at UC school was you always have to trust your handler
Tim: And your not sure you can trust Isabel as your handler
Lucy: Exactly. Look I like her and shes nice and all. And she's really doing much better. I know that you are over her and I have nothing to worry about on your end, but honestly I still have no idea what her intentions with you are and that scares me every day she's in town. But to go on a UC assignment where the only person out there who has my back is her, that I am not comfortable doing.
Tim: Did you explain this to Andersen?
Lucy: I did, I also told her that I would really appreciate if you could be my back up out there to which she answered no.
Tim: Lucy, we've spoken about this, we can either be partners on the job or date off the job
Lucy: I know, but you can't blame me for wanting both.
Tim: Of course I can't. So what do you plan on telling them tomorrow?
Lucy: I already told them, a different handler or my answer is still no.
Tim: Okay. You know I would support you if you went even with Isabel.
Lucy: I know, and i really appreciate that. Tim I really do. But as much as I love going undercover and I really do love it I love you more and I want to be able to come home safely to you afterwards.
Tim: I love you too babe and I will be here waiting with open arms for the day that I get to see you again.
Lucy: Thanks for coming over tonight. I'm sorry I wasn't such good company.
Tim: no need to apologize. I'm going to head home tonight but I bought you some chocolates and put them on your counter when I came. I just hope Tamara didn't eat them already
Lucy: If they were milk chocolates were fine
Tim: They were
Lucy: Thanks babe
Tim: always
And with that Tim walked out of Lucy's apartment holding onto the words she had told him before and knowing in his heart just how much he loved her back. He went to sleep that night not knowing what the future held for them. A part of him hoping that Lucy would get to do this job so she could be promoted to detective in narcotics while the other part was hoping that she would never leave him.
Tim walked into the precinct the next day to find Sergent Grey waiting for him in his office.
Tim: Are these talks becoming a new habit of yours?
Sergent Grey: You wish.
Tim: What's going on?
Sergent Grey: Lucy is going undercover with the Tesca's and Andersen approved you to be her handler for this job
Tim: WHAT?
Sergent Grey: She felt that out of all the possible candidates for the job Lucy is the best choice and Lucy refused to go with Isabel and she has no other handlers available at the moment.
Tim: I know Lucy wanted me to do this, but I've never done anything like this before? And what about my metro calls?
Sergent Grey: Harper will fill you in on the basics of what you need to know, about contact with Lucy and all that so you can keep her safe. Your job as handler is basically to act as the go-between, from Lucy and the task force you will also still be obligated to fulfill all your metro duties. Do you think you can handle this?
Tim: Yes Sir, of course.
Sergent Grey: Great. Lucy is being prepped as we speak. She did ask to come talk to you quickly before she heads out. She will be required to make contact daily once at 9 am and once at midnight. If she fails to call in at any point, we need you to notify us immediately so we can step in to find her. As her handler you will get to talk to her but remember that from here on out her name is Amber and not Lucy. You need to be very careful because you do not want to get her cover blown at any point. Am I clear?
Tim: Crystal
Sergent Grey: This has never been done before letting a boyfriend be the handler. Prove to us that this was the right decision, and we may allow you to do this again for her in the future.
Tim: Thanks, sarge. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.
Grey got up and was about to open the door when Lucy walked in.
Sergent Grey: Officer Chen, I already spoke with Sergent Bradford about our little agreement, and he is on board. Whatever you two do, don't make any of us regret this decision.
Lucy: Of course, not Sir.
Sergent Grey: Good Luck, to both of you.
And with that he left the office leaving Tim and Lucy alone in the room.
Tim: So your really leaving
Lucy: I am, but I will still get to talk to you twice a day
Tim: I know, but it's not the same as waking up next to you in my bed every morning.
Lucy: Your bed? Last I've checked you have been staying in my apartment with me for the last several months
Tim: Okay, okay. Your bed
Lucy: thanks. Tim, I know this will be hard on you, it will be hard on me too, but I have to do this, the undercover
Tim: I know you do, and I am so proud of you for doing this, of how far you've come since you were my rookie, but I will miss you and I just don't know if 2 phone calls a day is enough
Lucy: it's not, but it's better than not seeing you or talking to you at all for 6 months or more
Tim: That is very true.
Tim bends down and cups Lucy's face slowly kissing her with all the love and passion he has. When they both needed air and pulled away Tim hugged her tightly afraid to leave go when they heard a knock on the door.
Captain Andersen: Officer Chen, it's time to leave, Sergent Bradford I will come back later to give you all the information you need in order to keep officer Chen here safe.
Tim: Thank you Captain, thank you for letting us do this.
Tim kisses Lucy before she leaves
Lucy: I love you babe
Tim: I love you too.
Tim watched as the love of his life; his Lucy walked out of his office. He knew he would get to talk to her later that day but somehow it just didn't feel the same.
The first couple of days were hard for Tim as he slowly adjusted to his new schedule. He made sure he was always around at 9 am for their morning check in's and he knows that Lucy could always hear the relief in his voice the moment she says hello. He also set his alarm to wake him at 12 for the midnight check ins. His phone conversations with Lucy were his lifeline. It's what was keeping him sane.
For almost 4 years they worked together side by side every single day. From the first day she was assigned to him as his rookie until the day she went for undercover training he had seen her at least 5 times a week for 12 hours straight and some weeks were more, and some days were more. Having to distance himself from her while at work this past year so that they could date appropriately has been difficult for him but not being able to see her at all for this amount of time has been torturing him. He needed Lucy back. He really missed her, and he told her that almost every day, but he knew that as hard as this was for him it was just as hard for her as well. But she loved doing the undercover work and she was really good at it, and he didn't want to be the one to get in the way of that. He knew This distance was hard for both of them but somehow, they were managing with the two allowed phone calls a day and he was really grateful that Captain Andersen had agreed to it because he truly had no idea how he would have handled Lucy being gone if he had no contact with her at all.
So, when he saw Lucy's undercover phone number call him one day, about a month after she left at around 12 noon, Tim started to get worried.
Lucy: Hey
Tim: What's up? How are you doing?
Lucy: Better now that I've finally gotten some movement on Frank.
Tim: So where are we case wise?
Lucy: Um
Tim: Lucy, what's going on? You don't normally call now so I'm sure you can imagine how nervous I am.
Lucy: I know babe, I'm sorry I really didn't mean to worry you but Frank asked me to dinner tonight and I'm not exactly sure what my play is here.
Tim: Romantically, like a date?
Lucy: Well officially it's about business but he did just get out of prison so I'm sure hes expecting some fun after dinner.
Tim: Legally speaking sex is considered a form of entrapment and could tank the whole case,
Lucy: So I should cancel dinner?
Tim: No, but if he starts doing anything inapropriate your gonna have to leave.
Lucy: Okay, do you think I should start pushing about his brother?
Tim: No, unfortunately your still trying to build a relationship with him, you need to get close enough for him to trust you and he will come out and say it himself without you pushing.
Lucy: I was just hoping to give a push, I really love what I'm doing here but I miss you like crazy, and these phone calls are not really enough anymore.
Tim: I know what you mean babe. If you do this right, you'll be home, back in my arms before you know it and then I promise to never let you leave again... unless you want to.
Lucy: Thanks babe. I love you. Talk to you tonight.
When Tim hung up the phone he went and spoke with Captain Andersen.
Tim: Lucy is going to dinner with Frank tonight. I would like to bug their table so we could hear the conversation.
Captain Andersen: Of course, I know Metro is supposed to be going on a raid soon but if they can spare you, then I will give you permission to set up surveillance around the restaurant so we can make sure that Officer Chen is safe at all times.
Tim: Thank you Captain
Captain Andersen: Whatever you need, Sergent.
Tim went back to his office to begin preparing the necessary arrangements. He spoke to the manager of the restaurant who promised to seat Lucy and Frank by a table near the window so that Tim could look in on them the whole time. He also allowed Tim to come in and covertly put a bug on the table so Tim could listen to what they said. Silently Tim was praying that Frank would say something tonight that would give himself up. He knew it wasn't likely but how he so badly missed Lucy.
At 7:30 just like Lucy had told him she walked into the restaurant with Frank right behind her, the palm of his hand on the small of her back and Tim had to use all of his self-control to not go and kill the man with his bare hands just for touching his girl. Tim was slowly understanding why the department didn't usually allow a couple to do operations like this. As good as the idea sounded in the beginning it was really hard now watching Lucy openly flirt with Frank.
Tim saw them sit down together and started listening in on their conversations everything seamed to be going as planned until Tim saw a car speed up quickly next to the restaurant and before Tim knew what had happened, he saw bullets flying straight through the window directly towards where Lucy was sitting. He had seen her head disappear from the window, but he had no idea if she fell on purpose to duck or if she had gotten hit. Tim was hysterical as he called it over the radio.
Tim: Shots fired, 93107 Wilshire Boulevard I repeat shots fired officer in distress officer down.