Marrying Sargent Bradford
Summary:
Will Tim and Lucy make it down the aisle as planned or will someone else get in their way?
Notes:
(See the end of the work for notes.)
Chapter Management
Chapter 1: Prologue
Chapter Text
Marrying Sargent Bradford
Prologue
Tim couldn't believe what he was listening to. Lucy was sitting in the shop next to him, talking to Chris about buying a house together. Tim felt like he had been punched in the gut and wanted to be anywhere but next to Lucy right now, but what was he supposed to do? They were still on shift for the next eleven hours and since Thorsen wanted to shadow Harper and Lopez, Tim was stuck riding with Lucy for the rest of the shift.
Tim had been really hurt when he saw the look on Lucy's face when Grey told her she was back on gofer duty for the day. Tim wished that her face would have lit up at the thought of riding with him again, instead she looked like she wanted to be in any car but his. Tim had attempted to get Lucy out of it, telling Grey he would be okay on his own but Grey was not okay with that and Lucy had finally said there was no reason they couldn't ride together. Tim knew she was annoyed by the way her eyes rolled while talking to Grey and as much as he was hurt that she didn't want to ride with him, he still felt really bad that she was in the car with someone she didn't want to be with.
Listening into her conversation with Chris was not helping his mood at all and right now, all Tim wanted to do was punch Chris in the face and tell him to back off his girl. But then Tim stopped, Lucy was not his girl, they were not dating, Lucy was nothing more than a co-worker to him, she made that very clear when she told him it was just basic biology. Tim knew it was more than basic biology for him, but he loved Lucy too much to hurt her in anyway and if she loved Chris than he was going to step out of the way and let her be with the man she loved but no matter how hard he tried to be okay with it, it still hurt knowing that the woman he was so in love with didn't love him back.
The first couple of minutes in the shop together was filled with awkward silence until Lucy in her typical fashion just started talking as if all was normal between them and Tim was happy to have fallen back into their normal banter. But then her phone rang and Chris was talking about buying a house and that sense of calm Tim had felt moments ago had all but disappeared instead he was annoyed, frustrated and angry.
Tim: Chen, chat with your boyfriend on your own time.
Chris: He's in a mood. I'll let you go. Just text me regarding the house and let me know what you think.
Lucy: Yeah, ok. I'll do that.
Lucy hangs up and then turns towards Tim.
Lucy: What the hell was that all about?
Tim: What are you talking about?
Lucy: You haven't yelled at me like that since my first year on the job.
Tim: I don't know what you're talking about.
Lucy: Like hell you don't.
Tim: Lucy
Lucy: What?
Tim: Never mind.
Lucy: You know what, I don't think this will work. Can you bring me back to the station please.
Tim: Lucy, come on. It's one shift. You really can't handle just one shift with me anymore?
Lucy: No, Tim. I can't.
Tim: Why not? We worked for almost 4 years together, every single day you and me. What's changed?
Lucy: Please Tim. Just drive me back.
Tim: No, I will not take you back to the station until you talk to me, so if that means that we will be in the car until next week that's fine with me.
Lucy: Your insane, you know that.
Tim: Maybe. But if you want to get out of the car, you just need to talk to me.
Lucy: Fine, then answer my question. Why would you yell at me like that? And in front of Chris? What were you thinking?
Tim: I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that.
Lucy: I accept your apology, but I still want to know why you did it.
Tim: Are you really moving in Chris?
Lucy: What?
Tim: You and Chris? He seems to think you are buying a house together.
Lucy: Yeah, that's what we've been talking about why?
Tim: So, you're happy with Chris?
Lucy: Yes, we're super happy. It's good.
Tim: So, you're really doing this?
Lucy: Doing what?
Tim: Buying a house with him.
Lucy: Well, were happy and it's the obvious next step, so why not?
Tim: I don't think you should move in with Chris.
Lucy: What? Why the hell not? What is your problem? Chris is great, we're great together. So why shouldn't I move in with him?
Tim: Do you love him?
Lucy: What? That is none of your business.
Tim: Like hell it isn't.
Lucy: Pull over!
Tim: What?
Lucy: Pull over now!
Tim quickly pulled over to the side of the road and Lucy jumped out before the car was even in park. She started running away from the car but Tim was faster than her and eventually caught up with her.
Tim: Lucy! Lucy! Lucy Stop! Lucy please just turn around and talk to me.
Lucy: Tim please just go away, leave me alone.
Tim: What is going on here? Please Lucy, just talk to me.
Lucy: No Tim. You don't get to do this anymore.
Tim: Do what?
Lucy: Treat me like I'm your girlfriend.
Tim: I am not
Lucy: Really? Because right now you are acting like a jealous boyfriend over the fact that Chris and I want to move in together.
Tim: Fine! You want the truth, Lucy; I'll give it to you. Yes, I am jealous and no I do not want you to move in with Chris because I want you to move in with me. I want you to call me your boyfriend not Chris.
Lucy: And you lost that chance when you broke up with me, before we ever had a chance to even see where this can go between us.
Tim: What are you talking about?
Lucy: You told me that it was time to move on. So, Tim, that is all I am trying to do here, to move on.
Tim: With Chris
Lucy: Yes, Tim. With Chris.
Tim: When I told you that, I never meant for you to move on from me Lucy.
Lucy: You sent me away. You and I were working together for hours every day for 4 years and then one day you say that it's time for me to move on. That you don't want to work with me anymore. Who does that Tim?
Tim: I honestly thought it was what you wanted. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy.
Lucy: Well, I am happy Tim, I am very happy.
Tim: Okay let me rephrase I wanted you to be happy at work but I also wanted you to be happy in your relationship – with me.
Lucy: Well, sending me away did not make me feel very happy.
Tim: I see that now. And I'm sorry. I never had any intention of hurting you. I would never want to hurt you.
Lucy: But you did.
Tim: I know, and if I could take it back I would. But Lucy please, don't move in with him.
Lucy: It's not that simple
Tim: Why not?
Lucy: What happens when this doesn't work between us? It's not worth the risk.
Tim: I think it is?
Lucy: What?
Tim: I think that you and I Lucy, look I know that there is something special here and I think that it is worth the risk of trying because I don't think that we will screw it up.
Lucy: How can you be so certain?
Tim: You're not?
Lucy: It's not that I don't have feelings for you Tim.
Tim: Then what is it?
Lucy: How will this work? You and me dating while working together? It never ends well.
Tim: So, your job is more important to you than I am?
Lucy: No, that is not what I'm saying.
Tim: Than what are you saying Lucy? Because I want this. I want us. If it means switching around positions within the department to make it work so I'll do that because Lucy, I think you are worth it.
Lucy: Tim.
Tim: Lucy, do you want to go on a date with me?
Lucy: I would love to Tim, but first I think there is someone I need to break up with first. I want to do this right with you Tim.
Tim: I can handle that.
Lucy: Perfect. So, do we have a deal?
Tim: You break up with Chris and I get to take you out on a date.
Lucy: Deal.
Lucy and Tim walked back to the car in comfortable silence. Tim was happy for the rest of the shift while Lucy was nervous about breaking up with Chris. She was definitely excited to start dating Tim, this was something she had hoped for and dreamed about for so long, but still she couldn't believe this was finally becoming her reality. At the end of shift, just like every day, Tim stopped by her desk and waited until she was done her paperwork before walking towards the parking lot together. As they reached their cars Tim saw that Chris was standing in front of Lucy's car waiting for her.
Chris: Hey baby, ready to go.
Lucy: Yeah sure.
Chris turns towards Tim
Chris: Do you want to join us? We're going to grab a bite to eat.
Tim: No, no I'm good. You two have fun.
Lucy mouths at him "thanks" then smiles before Chris puts his arm around Lucy's back. They are about to get into her car when she hears Tim talking.
Tim: Chris, can I borrow Lucy for a second?
Chris: Sure, of course. I'll start the car.
Lucy follows Tim away from her car.
Tim: Are you really okay with this? Because if you're having second thoughts?
Lucy: No, I'm not. I just don't really know how to handle it. I don't want to hurt him.
Tim: Lucy, he loves you. No matter what you say it's going to be a hard conversation to have.
Lucy: I know. I just wish it wasn't so difficult.
Tim: I have faith in you.
Lucy: Thanks.
Lucy walked away from Tim and when she got to her car, she noticed that her car was off and Chris was standing outside the driver's side door.
Chris: I think we need to talk
Lucy: Okay, about?
Chris: Tim
Lucy: What about Tim?
Chris: Are you sleeping with him?
Lucy: What? Why would you ask that?
Chris: It doesn't matter. Look Lucy, you're a great girl and we are great together and I really do love you but this, you and me. It's just not working I'm sorry.
Lucy: Are you breaking up with me?
Chris: Yes, Lucy. I am.
Lucy was definitely surprised by the turn of events but at the same time she was also relieved that she didn't have to hurt Chris after all. She drove home and found Tamara sitting on the couch watching TV.
Tamara: Your here?
Lucy: I live here.
Tamara: I thought you were going out to eat with Chris after work.
Lucy: That was the plan
Tamara: But?
Lucy: We broke up.
Tamara: Finally
Lucy: What?
Tamara: Look, Chris was nice and all and I do like him but you are not in love with him, you love Tim
Lucy: Tamara
Tamara: What? The guy is crazy about you. And despite your recent attempt to push him away, you're crazy about him.
Lucy: How do you?
Tamara: Oh what, was that supposed to be some big secret?
Lucy: Yes, No.
Tamara: Lucy, you deserve someone who loves you as much as you love them.
Lucy: And you think that person is Tim?
Tamara: I do.
Lucy: But Tamara
Tamara: Yeah, I know, he's your boss.
Lucy: What if it doesn't work?
Tamara: At least you know that you gave it a shot, that you tried. And if it doesn't work out, so what?
Lucy: I just really don't want to lose what we have.
Tamara: Girl please. What exactly do you have?
Lucy: A friendship.
Tamara: No. What you and I have is a friendship. What you and Tim have is true love.
Lucy: He asked me out on a date earlier.
Tamara: I hope you said yes
Lucy: I said that he should ask me again after I broke up with Chris
Tamara: But now you're having second thoughts?
Lucy: About the break up with Chris? No.
Tamara: About dating Tim?
Lucy: No. But I am really nervous about how this will change our relationship.
Tamara: You will never know until you try.
Lucy: Your right, your right. Thanks Tamara.
Tamara: I'm here, whatever you need.
Lucy: Thanks.
Lucy hugged Tamara, then stood up and walked into her room. She changed into her pajamas and sat down on her bed. Lucy stared at her phone for ten minutes, her finger over Tim's number debating if she should call him or not, when her phone rang. She looked down and saw that it was Tim.
Lucy: Hey
Tim: Hi, just wanted to check in and see how you are doing.
Lucy: Chris broke up with me.
Tim: Lucy, I'm so sorry.
Lucy: No, no you're not.
Tim: I'm sorry that you are hurting. I am not sorry that you are now single.
Lucy: Who said I'm single
Tim: What?
Lucy: Well, some guy asked me out on a date earlier today and I told him yes.
Tim: Lucy, are you sure?
Lucy: Of course, I'm sure.
Tim and Lucy hung up each one happy and content. No, they didn't go out that night, but several days later Tim officially asked Lucy out and she said yes. Their date was amazing and both Tim and Lucy knew in that perfect moment that this between them was worth the risk, that they would be together forever.
They dated in secret for the first 3 months, but by the time they were ready to tell everyone there was no need as everyone already knew. Tim switched to Metro Sargent so that he was not in Lucy's chain of command. 6 months after they started dating Lucy made detective and was now working intelligence which required her to go undercover for only short amounts of time so she was able to come home every day to Tim and still work undercover. Life was amazing and Lucy was loving every minute but they both knew that as good as this was there was a way to make this even better. And Tim had every intention of making Lucy feel extremely loved for the rest of their lives and so he started working on the most special and perfect proposal just for Lucy.
Notes:
Here you go, hope you enjoyed. Would love to hear what you think and if you would like this story to be continued.