So I've been gone a good while!
Life got the better of me and I'm back with a new show obsession - The Rookie!
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten my love for everything else, I'm just at peace with writing when the urge takes me and letting it flow. Who knows what, when, where, why, how I'll write again!
in the meantime please enjoy this sleepy early morning writing from tonight that I wanted to share - much love!
She was sitting in his truck.
It could have been the most menial, forgettable thing.
Nobody would bat an eyelid.
It could've been forgotten by tomorrow, lost in the hubbub of long hours, lukewarm coffee and the often intolerable Los Angeles populace.
Nobody would've given it a second thought.
But right now she was sat in his truck.
And she felt nothing. And that is what made it so perfect.
There was only the surrounding warmth of the heater, set just high enough to stop the shivers and comfort, and the low bassy hum of some early hour radio show on a very low volume providing the much needed white noise as she huddled under his jacket agonisingly unable to cross the line into blissful sleep - not for lack of trying.
The sleep wasn't the pressing matter though - that was safety, and that had been resolved the second she was helped up the step into the seat, heard the door close, and flashed a sympathetic smile.
He'd lightly tapped on the closed door once she was settled to get her attention, letting know he'd be back beside her in minutes.
After those had passed, the smell was the first thing she noticed. Her senses still heightened, that familiar cologne that lingered next to her each day mixed with the sweat from the search made it quite easy to recognise who was approaching, and with him came another familiar scent.
It wasn't long before he slowly opened the door so as to not alarm, the truck gently rocking as a weight entered the drivers seat. The next few moments were filled with rustling before she could tell something was being placed beside her in the centre console.
A few moments of silence later, a soothing voice filled the space.
"Hey Lucy?" Tim almost whispered, seemingly checking if she was asleep while also having a hint of desperation, wanting to hear her voice to know she was okay.
"Mmhhmmhff" was the insensible reply he received.
"Veggie burger" he informed her in the same whispered voice, adding some excitement to try and her attention and get her to eat.
"Wwthhfriis?"
"Excuse me?"
"With fries?" - the smell was too much and bringing her out of her slumber.
"Fries, extra pickles, there's a spicy water in there to flush it down"
That got a snort of laughter out of her.
"Spicy" Tim could hear the eye roll in her voice.
"It is!" he mocked gently "water's plain and easy, I want to hydrate not feel my mouth exploding!"
Lucy shook her head, she wouldn't win this one and honestly didn't mind, the sense of normality and distraction being exactly what was needed.
Now feeling more awake, she gently unfurled herself while making sure to keep Tim's jacket atop of her as a makeshift blanket, pulling hair out of her face and behind her shoulders ready to eat.
Shakily removing the burger from the paper bag, unwrapping it took a moment, Lucy took a small uncertain first bite before the familiar taste calmed her it wasn't soon before the bag was finished.
Reaching for the drink to flush down the meal, she turned to find Tim's gaze locked on her, his food resting on his lap still in its bag.
"It was alright" Lucy quipped.
"Well since you keep raving about it.."
Lucy gave him a puzzled look, which he resolved by pulling a familiar item out of the bag.
Realising what was happening, her eyes took on a slight sparkle not seen since she was found.
"I'm sorry, doesn't this go against some kind of code, eating vegetarian burgers?!"
"Yeah, the Bradford code" Tim teasingly fired back, earning a small chuckle from Lucy.
"Hang on" she stated, reaching to place her drink in the passenger door well before turning her whole body back towards him "now, please, continue".
It was Tims turn to roll his eyes as he turned his attention to the burger, unwrapping it in a quick motion before sighing at the lack of meat. It took a failed attempt to take a bite to psych himself up before he finally took a sizeable chunk out of the side of the burger - disgusting himself but wanting to appease Lucy at the same time.
If he had turned to his side he would've noticed Lucy watching in wonder, examining his every detail for any indication of his response, but he was too busy facing forward, powering through until it was over. But he didn't quite get there.
"Gah, God!"
"It's that good right!"
"NO!"
Remnants of the burger spilled into the bag as Tim gave up his futile effort to finish his mouthful.
Lucy started to giggle, laughing harder at his next comment;
"Only thing this abomination does right is extra pickles!"
Holding the rest of the burger in one hand as he desperately searched for his soda to rid the taste with the other, Lucy took her opportunity, snatching what was left of the burger out of his hand with a "Thaaaank you".
By the time Tim turned back around Lucy was very much enjoying his burger, nibbling on it whilst trying to contain her laughter. Letting out a snort and with a shake of his head Tim took a long swig from his can before digging into his fries. It would be a smaller meal for him, but it was the early hours and he shouldn't be eating much at this time anyway. Besides, it was more important to see Lucy happy, smiling, eating - she hadn't done much of that since she'd been discharged from the hospital.
With the food finished Tim gathered the rubbish together ready to bin, placing it in the footwell. Both full, they took some time to gave into the night out front, as if escaping into it and leaving all worries behind them.
It was Lucy who moved first, turning to the passenger door to collect her drink, but what made Tim snap out of his trance was that she never moved back.
Turning his head to check on her he quickly ended up turning his whole body, and nearly reached out but decided that physical touch may not be the best option at the moment, despite how much he wanted to be of comfort to his rookie.
His rookie who he could see had found herself in the passenger mirror, a tear rolling down her cheek as she gently traced her cheek scars with her fingertips.
"Lucy"
No response, despite the pained and concerned expression of her name.
"Chen"
Slightly more formal, forceful, but not loosing empathy.
"Yeah" was the simple reply, almost disinterested as she didn't stop what she was doing.
"They're already fading. It's over, you survived"
It took a couple of moments but Lucy finally slumped back into her seat, pulling Tim's jacket closer for comfort.
"I know, I just.." Lucy cut off as her voice broke, not knowing how to really express her feelings as everything she experienced hit her again in a flash.
"No need to talk just yet" Tim interjected quickly, not wanting to upset her and ruin any progress of the night. "I'm sure we will, I have got your back, but I don't want to push you back. Just… just let me know what you need".
A moment lost in thought playing with her fingers later, Lucy requested "Drive?"
Tim was confused for a moment before realising what she was after.
"Anywhere special?"
She shook her head before cuddling herself back into the seat, again making sure Tim's jacket covered her entirety. Once he saw her settled, Tim asked "Ready?"
"Mhmm"
With a start of the engine their final words of the night were said safety, secure company and a full stomach gave Lucy all she needed to drift into blissful sleep;
"Tim?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you, really"
"Don't mention it, Boot"