Second Chance
Chapter 1
This story takes place after season 5 episode 2. Thanks to the person who provided the idea for this story. (Currently not posting the prompt to avoid any major spoilers). I have most of the ideas for this story mapped out, still unsure if the ending will be happy or not.
As always, I love your comments and suggestions on this story. Hope you enjoy.
Lucy had just gotten back from Sacramento several hours earlier and was sitting on her couch eating take-out when there was a knock on her door.
Lucy: Come in.
Lucy turns around to face the door as she sees Chris walk in
Chris: Hi Lucy.
Lucy: Chris, what are you doing here?
Chris: I just came to return my set of keys and take back the rest of my stuff.
Lucy: Oh. Your stuff is in the box on the counter.
Chris: You didn't have to pack it up for me.
Lucy: I didn't. Tamara did.
Chris: I could have done it myself.
Lucy: I know. But she wanted to do it.
Chris: Why?
Lucy: I'm not sure, you would have to ask her that yourself.
Chris: Okay. And Lucy?
Lucy: Yeah?
Chris: I'm really sorry.
Lucy: Don't be. This is not your fault.
Chris: I really wanted this to work Lucy, and I really tried.
Lucy: I know you did Chris. We both did. I appreciate that you were able to do what I didn't have the courage to do though.
Chris: I just really never wanted to hurt you.
Lucy: It's okay Chris. Really it is.
Chris: Had I known that
Lucy: That what? That Tim told me we would never be anything more than co-workers. Chris, even if you did know that, you would have still broken up with me. We didn't break up because I love Tim. You broke up with me because it wasn't working between us.
Chris: I know.
Lucy: Chris, it's not your fault that I'm in love with someone who doesn't love me back, but it's not your fault either that you and I are not in love.
Chris: I just really wanted you to be happy. And after seeing the way that you listened to him and not me, I knew that you would never love me the way you love him.
Lucy: I'm so sorry Chris. I never wanted you to feel like the other man.
Chris: I didn't, but I realized that I will never be your forever person either.
Lucy: Which is why you broke up with me.
Chris: Yeah.
Lucy: It's really okay. I will be okay.
Chris: You promise?
Lucy: Yes, Chris. I promise.
Chris: Okay, I guess I'll take my stuff then.
Lucy: Okay.
Lucy watched as Chris took her key off of his key ring and placed it on the counter in front of her. She then watched as Chris picked up the box of his things, took one last look around the apartment, smiled sadly at her and walked through the door and out of Lucy's life. She knew this wasn't forever as she would still see him at the precinct but something about this break up felt more final than her previous break ups felt.
Tim was standing in front of the briefing room about to finish roll call when he saw the door in the back open up. Tim looked up and paused what he was saying as he saw Lucy walk inside and sit down. Tim waited for her to look up at him, notice him, smile at him and was somewhat taken aback when Lucy completely avoided his gaze. Tim wanted to walk over to her and move her head so she was looking at him, but they weren't at home, they were not in private. This was a police station and he had to act professionally. So regardless of how badly he wanted to run over to her put his arms around her, kiss her and spin her around (okay that was in his dreams that he so desperately wished he could make reality) he had to continue the mornings briefing as if nothing was different, like Lucy had not just walked into the room for the first time after being gone for almost 3 months.
Tim finished the briefing as quickly as he could and then attempted to walk over to Lucy to welcome her back home when Sargent Grey walked over to him and stopped him.
Sargent Grey: Sargent Bradford, I need a word with you in private.
Tim: What is this about?
Sargent Grey: I'll explain in my office.
Tim: Okay, I'll be there in a minute.
Sargent Grey left the room and Tim followed him but stopped as he searched the desks for Lucy, but she was nowhere to be seen. Tim noticed that Angela was not at her desk and Tim hoped that she was with Lucy. He started walking towards the women's locker room to see if they were there when he saw Sargent Grey motion him to his office. Tim looked towards the locker room but didn't see Lucy, so he walked into Sargent Grey's office hoping to catch up with Lucy after this talk.
Sargent Grey: Have a seat.
Tim: This is that serious?
Sargent Grey: This conversation is about Officer Chen, so you tell me if this conversation is serious.
Tim: What about Officer Chen.
Sargent Grey: She put in a request that she no longer wants to be your Sargent's aid, and she would like to ride solo for a while.
Tim: Excuse me? You can't be serious?
Sargent Grey takes out a pink paper and hands it to Tim. Tim takes a minute and reads the entire thing several times.
Tim: This is crazy, you can't honestly think that letting Lucy ride patrol alone is a good idea.
Sargent Grey: Lucy?
Tim: Officer Chen.
Sargent Grey: Tim, what is going on between you and Lucy?
Tim: Nothing, sir. There is nothing going on between me and Officer Chen.
Sargent Grey: Then how do you explain this request?
Tim: I have no idea why she would do such a thing. She wanted to be my Sargent's aid.
Sargent Grey: I remember Tim, that's why I want to know what you did to make her change her mind.
Tim: I have no idea. We haven't spoken since she left for UC school.
Sargent Grey: Okay, so how would you like to handle this? As her direct supervisor you would have to be the one to approve the transfer, not me.
Tim: Well, it's simple then, transfer request denied.
Sargent Grey: Tim!
Tim: What?
Sargent Grey: Do you really think denying her request is a smart move?
Tim: Of course, it is. We work together. Me and her. There is no need to have her switch and ride alone.
Sargent Grey: Maybe you should discuss this with her before making the decision on your own.
Tim: Can't you tell her that you deny it, she doesn't need to know it came from me.
Sargent Grey: No Tim. She knows that it will have to come from you. Thats department protocol. So, I know you won't like this but until you talk to her and figure it out, I am assigning Aaron to continue working with you and Lucy will be riding solo.
Tim: That's crazy!
Sargent Grey: That is my decision, and it's final.
Tim: Yes sir.
Sargent Grey: You are now dismissed.
Tim walks out of the office in a daze. He has no idea what just happened. Just this morning he woke up all excited to get to work so he could finally spend the day alone with Lucy again except now he was being told that Lucy didn't want to work with him anymore. Tim was walking towards Aaron when he saw Lucy walking with Angela.
Tim: Officer Chen, good morning.
Lucy: Bradford.
Tim: Can we talk?
Lucy: I'm busy
Tim: With what?
Lucy: Work
Tim: Lucy, what's going on?
Lucy: Nothing.
Tim: Clearly, it's something you asked to ride solo
Lucy: So, I can think about the next steps in my career.
Tim: You can still do that if you ride with me.
Lucy: Maybe, but I don't want to.
Tim: Why not?
Lucy: You know why not Tim.
Tim: No, I don't.
Lucy: Tim, please.
Tim: Lucy, if I had any idea why you didn't want to work with me anymore, I wouldn't be standing here and begging you to explain it to me.
Lucy: So don't approve my request
Tim: I don't plan on it.
Lucy: Why not?
Tim: Why not? Really Lucy?
Lucy: Yes Tim, why do you not want to let me work with someone else? You never even wanted me to be your Sargent's aid to begin with. I had to beg for the job. Remember
Tim: Believe me Lucy, I remember that conversation. It's not a conversation that I will easily forget.
Lucy: What is that supposed to mean?
Tim: It doesn't matter
Lucy: Then approve the transfer if it doesn't matter
Tim: Lucy, I don't want to aprove the transfer because I like having you as my Sargent's aide.
Lucy: You also like working with Aaron
Tim: I never told you that.
Lucy: No, but you didn't replace him either
Tim: Because I assumed it was temporary. That we would continue working together as soon as you got back.
Lucy: I don't want to be your go-fer any more Tim.
Tim: Why not?
Lucy: Why not? Really Tim? You really want to know why I don't want to work with you anymore?
Tim: Yes, Lucy I do.
Lucy: Because