Sometimes it all get a little too much But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up
Having been through trauma, Lucy Chen was no stranger to the occasional nightmare. She knew how to deal with them, and most importantly, how to hide them from any significant other that spent the night. That all changed the minute she began dating Tim. Tim Bradford knew her better than anyone else. Lucy knew he would soon find out about the nightmares, and she was terrified it would scare him off.
—
It was a Friday evening. Both Tim and Lucy had the weekend off. To celebrate this rare occasion, they ordered takeout and settled on the couch for a movie night. Lucy leaned onto Tim's side, and he wrapped an arm around her, both soaking in the other's touch. Sure, they enjoyed naked time, but with their crazy jobs and constant life-threatening situations, this was their favorite thing to do: being with each other.
Once the movie was finished, Lucy began cleaning up the takeout boxes, while Tim started the dishes. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he smiled and turned around, planting a kiss on her forehead. Once Tim was done with the dishes, they headed into Lucy's bedroom. They washed up, did their nightly routine, and got into bed.
"Goodnight Lu, I love you," whispers Tim as he pulls Lucy into his arms, so her back is resting on his chest.
Lucy looks up and kisses Tim, saying, "I love you too baby."
With that, the two fall asleep into what appears to be a peaceful sleep. It was not until a couple of hours later that Lucy's nightmare began.
She was back in the barrel, wrists bleeding from the zip-ties, ribs burning from the tattoo. She knew she was dying, a slow and painful death. No matter how hard she tried to stay calm, she was running out of air. She could feel Caleb and Rosalind staring at her, laughing as she struggled to breathe.
"Where is your fierce protector now Chen?" Rosalind drawls.
"Someone will find me," she thought, "if anything, Tim will find me."
Tim and the rest of the LAPD never came. Her vision became spotty, and she could not catch her breath. She breathed in, ready to exhale her final breath, when suddenly, Lucy sat up screaming. Somehow her and Tim had moved apart while they slept, as she was not in is arms anymore.
Hearing her scream, Tim immediately woke up and turned on the lamp beside him. He looked at Lucy and his heart immediately broke. She was sitting up with her knees to her chest and her arms wrapped around her, shaking. Careful not to startle her further, Tim reached his hand out gently, placing it softly on Lucy's shoulder. Tim's heart clenched as he felt Lucy flinch slightly under his touch.
Rubbing her shoulder with his thumb, Tim says, "Lucy, baby, talk to me. What happened? What did you see?"
Lucy looks at Tim, eyes filled with tears, threatening to spill, and says, "The barrel, Caleb, Rosalind. No more oxygen, no one found me in time."
With that, Lucy began to cry, gut-wrenching sobs. Tim's heart broke all over again, wishing he could take away her pain. He pulls Lucy into a hug, resting one hand on her back, the other on her hair. He let her cry it out, not caring that his shirt was soaked with her tears. He whispers words of encouragement, reminding her that she is safe, and both Caleb and Rosalind are dead. He kisses her forehead every few seconds, while rubbing her back. Eventually, Lucy begins to calm down, pulling away slightly from Tim, so her eyes can meet his.
"I am sorry I woke you up. I know Metro makes you exhausted at the end of night, and you need sleep. I am so sorry Tim, I really am," Lucy says, dropping her gaze.
"Lu, look at me," Tim says. Lucy looks up at him, fiddling with a button on his Henley. Tim continues, "I do not care how tired I am, I always want to be woken up when you have a bad dream, or if you even just need a hug or words of affirmation. I love you baby, no matter what. If I could take away your pain, I would in a heartbeat. I don't know how your past boyfriends made you feel, but I'm here. Always."
Lucy looks at Tim, tears threatening to spill again, and says, "Chris made it seem like I should be over my trauma because Rosalind is dead. He never suffered from nightmares, so I should not either. I spent months working on my trauma recovery, and he managed to invalidate everything with a single sentence. He hated that I kept the tattoo, but after what you told me, I knew I had to. It grounds me during rough calls or while I am undercover because I know I am a survivor. That is why I…" she trails off.
Tim pulls her into him and says, "That's why you rub your side."
Lucy looks at him puzzled and Tim smirks saying, "Just because I'm part of Metro, doesn't mean I'm not as observed as you, Ms. Studying for the Detective's Exam."
Lucy laughs and leans back into Tim, laying her head on his chest. He strokes her hair gently with one hand, the other finding its way to Lucy's ribs, his thumb gently caressing where the tattoo is. Tim feels Lucy move her hand up to his chest, laying her hand over his heart. He places a gently kiss on her hair. Neither speak as they just take a few minutes to feel each other, knowing that they can be vulnerable with the other.
"You do not have to be afraid with me Lucy. I know that sometimes it all gets a little too much. I am here for you no matter what. You are stuck with me Chen," Tim says to Lucy as they break their hug.
"Good because you are stuck with me Bradford," Lucy says, giving Tim a kiss.
Tim returns the kiss affectionately before pulling back.
"Are you ready to go back to sleep?" Tim asks.
Lucy nods as she lays down. Tim rolls onto his side and pulls Lucy close to him. She lays her head onto his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He kisses her head and tightens his hold on her. Just before they fall asleep, Tim and Lucy whisper a soft I love you to each other. Lucy drifts off to sleep knowing she'd be okay, maybe not today, but someday. Tim listens as Lucy's breathing evens out. Satisfied, Tim allows himself to fall asleep, knowing the woman he loves is safe in his arms.