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bronx-bomber87 · 10 months ago

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Happy Wednesday Fandom :) It's crazy we are over ten eps in s5 already. Just means we're closer to this premiere yay. (it's 34 btw...) I adore this episode. I think it’s highly underrated because it’s the episode before 5x12. There are so many reasons to love this one. Flirty times, Return of Genny and Lucy, We get a taste of them as parents in this one and Lucy is a Grade A BAMF. Let us get started.

5x11 The Naked and The Dead

We start out with Tim being perplexed by the new coffee machine. Asking what was wrong with the old one? Being her grumpy old man about it. Nolan and Lucy start listing off reasons. Like led levels and Lucy mentions a mice infestation. Eww lol The growth in this scene is pretty cute though. It's how he easily steps aside to let her do it for him. No fight in him about it whatsoever. Just lets wifey do her thing.

How far we’ve come. She shows him how to do it and he is impressed with her. What else is new? heh But he's extra impressed cause she is girl now hehe Lucy tells him she learned from a clip talk tutorial on how to do it. John asks what they got up to last night? Tim on the instant defensive. Says ‘Nothing.’ way too quickly.

My god Timothy it’s a good thing it’s Nolan and not Nyla. Captain clueless over here doesn’t suspect a thing thankfully. Lucy of course is far more prepared than her boyfriend is. Because well it’s Lucy. I adore her being so smooth about it. Doesn't miss a beat. Hands her man his coffee as she easily delivers her cover story. Honestly if anyone was going to blow their cover it was Tim LOL

John dips out and thanks Lucy for the bar and the recommendation. Minute he’s gone Lucy gives him such crap for his terrible answer. Saying he had all morning to come up with a cover story and that was it? Tim defending himself saying Nolan bought it. Yeah cause it’s Nolan... Had it been anyone else in their orbit they would’ve been caught. Lucy is judging him so hard for this. I love it so much. Such a wifey moment right here.

Tim challenges her and asks what Nolan has follow up questions? Lucy confidently telling him she read the catalog cover to cover. Of course she did. I expect nothing less tbh. Neither should you Tim ha His reaction is the best. Like if you weren’t my girlfriend be calling you a nerd right now. But we all know he loves his nerd and her brain. Her intelligence/intense drive is one of the reasons he fell for her. God they cute.

Tim mentions she has citizens academy today. Lucy says yes and asks for any tips? Per usual he warns her about screenwriters haha That she shouldn't give out her card or she will be up to her eye balls in scripts. Lucy then segues into their plans for tonight. Flirty af as she does. Asking what he’s doing tonight? So much behind her question. Looking so very excited to ask him it. Radiating happiness as she does.

They could not be more flirty if they tried in this scene and I love it. I remember squeeing because this was the place we we're in now. Tim flirting right back ‘Nothing. I hope.’ *heart clutch* Lucy shooting tons of heart eyes his way. Letting him know that ‘Nothing sounds perfect.' Who would've thought the word 'Nothing.' could sound so romantic? Yet these two did it. The smirk on his face as she walks away from him is everything.

Oh my lord this man is a goner for her. Never seen this man smile more this entire series than he has since he started dating Lucy. They are giving off teenagers sneaking around and in love vibe here. Their secret dating era is just a primo as their longing/pining one. I love this season so much. Could they be anymore adorable flirting in the break room? Talking about cover stories and doing ‘Nothing.’ Gah I love it so much. It's all so new and exciting and it's coming off them in waves. I'm soaking it up like a sponge of shippy happiness.

This next portion is adorable. I love Aaron literally running to Lucy to tell her about Tim coaching little league. He is so excited to share this with her haha I am a fan of trio not gonna lie. Tim rolling his eyes when she says ‘Nolan.’ I mean it is a very John Nolan thing to do let’s be honest… Aaron calling him ‘Sergeant Friendly’ and not being pummeled by Tim just shows what a good place he’s in with Lucy.

Lucy saying ‘Can she watch?’ doing things to me. Sounded way flirtier than I’m sure she meant it to. Or maybe she did mean it that way heh Like girl we know you wanna watch him for quite a few reasons...Also you know she’s proud of him for being the good uncle and stepping up. The heart eyes are infinite at the end from her. She is proud of him for doing this. If it was possible he became even more attractive to her because of this.

Lucy shows up to practice and see’s Tim in coach mode. She is looking so very amused. Especially with how soft he is being. Watching her boyfriend who she knows can be a hard ass be soft af with these kids. Also if they think Genny doesn’t know they’re out of their damn minds. It’s all over her face as they banter with each other. Platonic co-workers don’t show up to their co worker's nephews practice and 'bicker'.

Married vibes x 1000 here and Genny is picking up what they’re throwing down. Tim is so excited to see her when she shows up. No way his sister doesn’t see a shift in his demeanor. Lucy couldn’t have a bigger smile on her face as she teases him. Tim being the exasperated husband per usual. Saying they’re just kids it's supposed to be fun. Her teasing is extra smitten like I have to say. Showing all your cards today you two. Right in front of Genny LOL

The sister in law bonding continues as Tim walks away. Which I absolutely adore btw. Lucy asking 'This is weird right?' Genny regaling her of how their dad taught his team as a kid. Tim having literal scars from it. It’s then it all comes together for Lucy. Tying back to that moment in 4x09. ‘You’re nothing like him.’ Lucy immediately getting why he’s acting this way.

He will do anything not to be like his father. I could not relate to that more if I tried. I see you Tim and I so understand. Lucy instantly softens and says this back to Genny. Knowing exactly what’s bringing on this soft streak of his. We watch as the kids continue to suck lol. Tim doing a thumbs up and I’m dying of laughter. Lucy sees why he’s doing this but says he is also over correcting in this approach.

This scene is a look into them as parents and it's making me very happy. The control freak in Lucy can’t stand back any longer. I love this part so much. She takes control and provides the kids with some knowledge and structure. Also like to call this the scene where Tim falls even more in love with her. He couldn’t be more proud as she takes control. Not only that but is knowledgeable about the game he loves. Win win.

He is looking at her like yep that’s the future mother of my kids. I love her walking up and the kids just follow. Her leadership is on fire right now. Tim asks her what she’s doing? Lucy saying yeah they can have fun but they also need structure. She’s not wrong… Totally going to be them as parents. Lucy being the stricter one with structure. Where Tim will be the softie wanting their kids just to have fun.

So cute how bemused Tim looks when she calls herself his ‘friend.’ Knowing they are far more than that now. Gah love Eric and his expressions. I’m a sucker for them. Lucy breaks down what they’re going to be doing. Not only that but the confidence she exudes while doing that has Tim beaming at her. Like look at his girl taking control and being knowledgeable about baseball. Seriously it's like he is falling even deeper in love with her based on this alone. How could he not?

Don’t tell me that man wasn’t turned on by this whole display either. Heart eyes galore but a little hot under the collar as well. You know he loves when she’s assertive. It’s a huge turn on for him. He’s basically scoping her out in front of those kids haha It’s this mixture of pride and being so immensely attracted to her. The man is in awe of this woman standing next to him.

The way he looks at her I’m just a damn puddle. If that man looked at me that way I would melt. Instantly. Lucy does melt a little when she catches his eye in the first gif above. You can see her crack a smile when their eyes connect. It's so cute. Once again I ask have we ever seen this man this damn happy before? No. Not till Lucy. I love him telling them when she’s done. ‘You heard her.’ Like you heard my wife get going. haha

The teasing is the cutest. It’s like we’re getting on screen fanfic levels of fluff in this episode. I'm so here for it. Just beaming heart eyes at each before he teases her with the ball. Her ‘Oh.’ When he takes the ball out of her reach. I cannot. I’m dying with the how adorable this whole thing is. My god they’re basically screaming their relationship to Genny in this moment.

I must also note my god Tim looks good. Doing what he does best. Takes a simple outfit like shirt and ball cap makes it sinfully delicious. Sweet lord he looks SOOOO good in outfit. Mmmm break me off a piece. My fav color too so that definitely adds to it for me. *fans self*

We catch up with them post practice. Genny comments they should co-coach together. They both make little jokes about it basically flirting in front of her. Do they see themselves and their looks? No? Ok... Genny redirecting their attention to how well they work together. Tim stumbling over his words instantly. Thinking they're being caught.

Lucy swoops in to save his ass like she did with Nolan ha Now her reply is shaky as well but better than Tim’s LOL They’re so bad at hiding this it’s hilarious. Tim following up with a ‘Mmhmm….’ As transparent as glass you two. A blind man could see how in love you are. Sweet lord.

Just being idiots in love in front of his sister ain’t no thing….Fairly certain Genny knows but is just testing the waters with her comments. No way she doesn’t see a difference in her own brother. Sure she sensed something in 4x08/4x09. This entire interaction only heightened it. Tim being the least subtle person on the planet in this moment. I love him so much. He sure is trying. lol

Lucy gets a call from the shelter so she steps away. Her domestic she got in is causing problems. She goes back to Tim and lets him know something going on with it. He is the worried boyfriend and asks if she wants him to come with? Which I adore. He know she can handle herself but wants to offer it anyways.

Just wanting to be near her at all times right now which is adorable. Also that instinct inside him to want accompany her incase she needs him. Being the supportive lovely boyfriend he is. Lucy declines and he respects her wanting to handle it on her own. Because he knows she can. Gah I love them. It’s the little things.

We rejoin them at the baseball game and I’m dying how cute they are. Lucy is losing her mind over the game and it's hysterical to watch unfold. Tim tells her to be encouraging haha How far we’ve come from Grey telling Tim to do as such back in 4x02. Love seeing that translate into this. Lucy tries to correct herself but doesn't convince Tim very well on it. His reply of 'We're gonna work on that...' I'm rollin. This is so adorable.

Lucy’s competitive side coming out and he has to have her take down just a notch. LOL The biggest trip is Tim being the kind encouraging one where Lucy is being the more competitive intense one ha. The dynamic shift here is unreal. I just love how involved she gets into this. This is something he loves and she is right there with him on it. I just love that he now has someone to do this stuff with. Happily too.

Not only that but Lucy is very into it at this point. I adore him leaning in to hear her. Tim has to calm her down though. haha I love her telling him she’s excited and he says ‘I know.’ Just letting Lucy be herself 100 percent. He loves her for who she is and vice versa and I'm a puddle. I am also excited Lucy has someone she can be herself fully around. Each found their person and it shows.

Lucy is losing her mind over this game and he gets it. Gah I love them so much everyone. This was such a cute mini moment. He is loving her competitive energy but is trying to tamp it down a little as well LOL Just a husband trying to calm down his overly competitive wife. It’s so cute I’m dying.

The cuteness continues on as they try and hype up one of the kids. I love them cheering Blake on together. Serious married baseball parents vibes. Just being proud parents clapping together. Wearing matching outfits having the same cute energy. This is them as parent's I am convinced. We are looking into the future people.

I also don't hate seeing Tim's biceps in action in these shots Mmm. Yum. I saw someone make a comment that they felt Dad Eric vibes in this scene. I can see it. The way he posts like a proud papa about his kids this is totally in line with that. It's pretty adorable to watch.

The high five turning into a hand hold is adorable and subtle af guys. I did see a BTS post awhile back on here about this. Eric said he and Melissa had a bet. Something about who would have that piece of paper in their end by end of the ep. Something like that. So that’s all I see now when I see the high five and hand hold. LOL Such goobers and I love them for it.

Either way they are disgustingly cute to end this episode. Lucy being the overly competitive mom. Tim has to keep her from scaring the kids is gold. This episode was tons of cuteness and flirty times. Was the perfect episode to follow 5x10 and pre-cursor to 5x12. They got to just be them and have time outside the station together. Just to be a couple and hang out. I loved it sfm.

~~~

Side notes-non Chenford

I will forever adore how Lucy handled that whole Domestic solo. I made a post after this ep premiered about how proud I was of her. How deeply she has grown as a cop and a person. How she doesn't let that abusive asshat rattle her cage in the least. The way she flashes her badge at him and says they're not done talking yet when he is trying to pull her from Lucy. Hot damn. My girl crush is back LMAO

Not only that but take his ass down later. Solo. Has the matter in hand by the time the cavalry arrives. How far she’s come from that moment in the sewers with Nyla back in S2. How proud Harper would be of her. She already is with her UC work but she commands this entire situation. From Start to finish. Takes down a guy twice her size by herself. Just so proud of her growth. The confident BAMF she’s come gah I love it sfm.

Don't usually do gifs in side notes but there were some good side note gifs. LOL Eric at it again with expressions and I'm laughing so hard. If you wanted to see what Tim thinks of Nolan in a moment it's that expression above. Lucy calling John a bad ass and Tim isn't so sure he agrees with her LMFAO. I'm with you babe idk I do either...

The sole purpose of this gif is just to drool and gawk at how damn good Tim looks in the field in this scene. I could care less about the SL LOL It's the tight red shirt, the jeans with his cuffs in the back, the vest with his badge showing, those delicious fit biceps of his, that shot of his forearm as he opens the door and the way he climbs into that trailer flexing said sexy biceps phew lord. Field Tim does so many things to me. How Lucy waited as long as she did to have that man Idk LOL Imma go get some ice water....

Thank you as always to those who read, like, comment on these reviews you make my whole day every time I see one pop up. I shall see you all in 5x12 :)

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bluenet13 · 2 years ago

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Safe at Home Plate (a The Rookie post 5x11 fic)

The before, during and after of the little league baseball game: Aaron and Tim when they hear Lucy's domestic violence call, Angela and Nyla watching from the bleachers, and Chenford enjoying a quiet moment post game.

AO3

"Control, I have a possible 273.5 at 9213 Longview Avenue. Send additional units."

Shit. Aaron thinks as soon as their radio crackles to life. There's no beat or badge number but they both recognize Lucy's voice instantly. He chances a look at Sergeant Bradford on the passenger seat and isn't surprised to find barely concealed panic hidden under outward stoicism.

Aaron's been trapped with Tim inside a car seconds from falling off the top floor of a parking garage and to their certain deaths, and yet he's never seen him so rattled. Tim's eyes are on the radio and he's looking at it like it personally wronged him. His hands are fisted over his legs and he's taking deep gulps of air trying to get his composure back.

At a complete loss at what to do, Aaron considers his options.

Option one: He can turn the shop around and go help Lucy, even if they both know she can take care of herself. But Lopez and Harper will kill him if they fail to show up to intercept Moses' truck.

Option two: He can suggest Tim talk to Lucy, but he doubts the man wants to say anything in front of him.

Option three: He can risk a premature end to his LAPD career at the hands of one pissed Tim Bradford and try to get him to talk.

Option four: Stay the hell away from whatever is going on between Tim and Lucy and continue driving in silence.

If option one didn't involve certain death at the hands of two very angry detectives, he thinks he might take it. And yet, he still ignores the one sensible option and takes life in his own hands, turning to look at Tim out of the corner of his eye as he debates how to start the conversation.

He doesn't realize he's been staring for too long until Tim speaks. "What?"

"Nothing," Aaron says instinctively and looks away, his courage beginning to dwindle.

But he can't stop himself from turning to look at Tim as seconds give way to minutes and there's still no update from Lucy. Eventually Tim huffs out a sigh and grumbles, "Whatever it is. Just say it."

Before his courage wanes, Aaron takes the opening. "You okay, Sarge?"

"Of course, I am," Tim says defensively, crossing his arms over his chest and pinning him with a serious look. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Aaron nods in understanding, glances at Tim once more. He hesitates a moment before saying, "I know this is a personal life-free zone, but we both know Lucy's a fighter and one hell of a cop. She's going to be okay."

"I know. I trained her." Tim tries to sound matter of fact, but Aaron has been riding with him long enough to know how to differentiate between his usual stoicism and what was a clear deflection.

"Right." Aaron goes to place a comforting hand on Tim's shoulder, but his sergeant's glare has him reconsidering. Instead, he sets it back on the steering wheel and continues to drive in silence. "I won't say anything, you know," he adds eventually, after counting Tim's third sigh in five minutes.

"There's nothing to say," Tim says dismissively, staring blankly at the city passing outside the window.

"Maybe," Aaron agrees, then adds, "You're allowed to be worried about her."

Tim inhales sharply and Aaron thinks he's about to rip him a new one. But Tim just lets the breath out slowly and turns to look at him. "I know. I can't shake the feeling this wouldn't be happening if I had insisted and gone with her after little league practice last night."

So, Lucy had in fact gone to practice with him. Aaron had wondered, but he lets it go. "What happened?"

"Lucy got a call from the woman who asked about domestic violence at Citizen's Academy. There was some sort of issue at the shelter she was staying at, but she went to work it out on her own. And now…" Tim trails off and turns back to look out the window.

"And now she's responding to a domestic and you think it's your fault," Aaron finishes for him, wincing sympathetically when Tim nods. "It might be a different call." Aaron doesn't really think so, but even hopeless optimism is better than the feeling of dread settling in his stomach, the same one he thinks Tim's been feeling since the call came in.

"You really think that?" Tim wonders. They're both cops, they have both seen the worst the world has to offer, inside and outside, of the force. And they both know coincidences rarely happen, if at all.

Aaron shakes his head. Tim's been good to him, and he can't lie to him. "But I also don't think it's your fault," he says, because telling the truth goes both ways.

Tim nods; wishes knowing could absolve him of his guilt. "I know Chen can take care of herself, but domestics are always tough, and this guy already knows she's involved so he might make it personal. And patrolling on your own is always riskier than doing so with a partner or T.O. anyway."

Aaron raises his hands in a placating gesture. "You have nothing to explain to me, man. She was your rookie, it's natural to worry." His tone is suggestive, but he lets out how he knows she's also one of his best friends, and very possibly something more. He doesn't think saying that would go well with his sergeant.

Silence settles over the shop after that. Aaron continues to drive as he considers the new sides of Tim Bradford he's seen in the last hour. He's always suspected there was something going on between him and his former rookie, but he's tried to ignore it as it's no one's business but them. But as he sees Tim drop his head back against the passenger seat and close his eyes, he remembers the conversation about workplace romance they had during one of their latest shifts, and despite what he said that day, he realizes he's rooting for whatever it is they have.

It's a few minutes later when they finally reach the meeting point, and Aaron carefully parks the shop at the designated spot. The two sit in silence as they wait for Lopez and Harper to arrive, listening to the cars passing on a highway nearby. Finally, when the detectives' car comes into view, Tim speaks up again. "Thanks, Aaron."

Aaron doesn't ask exactly why. Even if he does wonder. He nods instead, doing his best to hide his surprise.

What doesn't come as a surprise is the 'Come on Lucy. Be safe,' Tim whispers to himself before he switches their radio to a private channel with the detectives as they settle in to wait for Moses' crew.

-x-x-x-

When Tim had called asking for her and Harper's assistance potentially arresting the father of one of his little league players, Angela had quickly agreed. It was Tim and they helped each other out, that's how they rolled. But now sitting on the bleachers at Spellman Field, she wishes she was anywhere but here. It was nothing against Tim, baseball, or her duty, she was quite fond of all three, but she couldn't stop thinking about Elijah.

The night before she had gotten home with takeout and Wesley's favorite bourbon as she tried to soften the bad news. He had done the best to calm her down but they both knew Elijah Stone was a ticking bomb waiting to swallow them whole. Once upon a time she had thought she was invincible and capable of taking out anyone on her own, but losing Jackson, being kidnapped by La Fiera and having a son, had taught her that life was truly precious and not as guaranteed as she once thought.

"Damn, they're not even trying to hide it anymore." Harper's voice filters through her downward spiral and Angela realizes she has no idea what's happened after they talked to Blake's dad.

"Ugh- what?" Angela looks over, only to find Harper already watching her, eyes full of concern. "Sorry, got distracted for a second."

Harper nods in understanding and points to the field. Angela turns back to the game and a smile slowly creeps onto her face. Tyler has just scored a run and Tim and Lucy are clapping, perfectly in sync, before bumping their fists and moving their hands to rest on their hips. They're facing forward but their bodies are angled towards each other, their elbows brushing thanks to how close they're standing. Angela's known for a while that the former T.O. and Rookie have a special shorthand, but this is new, and she doubts they even realize how perfectly they mirror each other nowadays.

"Do you think they know?" Angela wonders, glad to have something else to focus on.

"What? That they're in love?" Harper frowns, but her tone is laced with amusement. "Those two are so oblivious that I wouldn't be surprised if they still think that whatever that is is just friendship." On the field Tim and Lucy seem to prove her point when a near home run leads to two more runs and they hug quickly before jumping away.

Angela snickers and shakes her head. "That was probably true for most of their relationship. But something's changed." She thinks back to last fall and tries to pinpoint when exactly she first noticed something is different. "Recently. Not sure when but I'd say around Thanksgiving, more or less."

"There's definitely something going on," Harper agrees, recalling their very convoluted explanation after their dinner was interrupted by an assault at the kitchen's restaurant. "Have you questioned Bradford about it?"

"Nah. I almost did, but he looks happy. They both do and they deserve it." Angela remembers those first few months with Wes when it was just them and everything felt new and impossibly better than anything they had experienced before. She wants that for her friends, even if she's also dying to tease Tim relentlessly about the fact Sergeant Hardass somehow fell for his rookie.

Harper tries but fails to suppress a grin, her smile knowing as she hums her accent. "They keep staring at each other when they think no one is watching. And Tim has smiled more in a month than three years. It's terrifying."

Angela snorts and Harper soon follows, their laughter only interrupted when Blake's father twitches in his seat and they glare at him until he stops moving. "Glad I'm not the only one that sees it." She says, pleased. "They're not as inconspicuous as they think but also not dumb enough to fully give themselves away."

"Not yet anyway." Harper smiles widely and Angela looks at her suspiciously. "Maybe we need to invite them to a triple date and see if they slip."

"I'm sure Wesley would dig it." And if she's honest with herself, it would be a welcome distraction for Angela too. Nothing like messing with her best friend's love life to distract her from her possibly crumbling one.

"Speaking of Wesley," Harper starts, taking the opening. "How are you guys doing?"

"We're fi-" Angela tries but Harper's raised eyebrow has her shutting up.

"Before we started talking you were a million miles away. And I know your situational awareness is better than that," Harper explains, looking at Angela sympathetically. "Is this about Elijah?"

Angela grunts and ducks her head before nodding resignedly. "Took you long enough to ask."

Harper grins but the smile soon softens. "Just worried about you. I know what it feels to always be looking behind your shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"Feels like that's all we've been doing since we lost Jackson." Angela chokes up and has to blink rapidly as she tries to stop the tears welling up in her eyes. The memory of her fallen rookie will never not hurt, but it was La Fiera who forced Wes to associate himself with Elijah and having him back is uncovering all that pain again. "And before, I wouldn't have cared as much. I love my family, but it was mostly just me. Now there's Wes, and Jack, and everyone at Mid-Wilshire." And it only takes her a glimpse of her friends coaching on the field, the woman sitting on the other side of Blake's dad and the picture of Wesley and Jack smiling at the camera on her lock screen for Angela to see what she stands to lose now.

"I'm sorry." Harper gets up and signals Blake's dad to move further on the bleacher to where she was sitting. "Don't you dare try to escape." She glares at the man and hopes he will be smart to listen. The last thing she wants to do is traumatize Blake by having to shoot his dad.

Next to Angela now, Harper pulls her close and envelops her in a hug. "We're gonna keep you all safe and bring the son of a bitch down. I promise," she whispers close to her ear.

Angela nods and after a moment pulls back, wiping her tears away. "Thank you."

"Anytime, partner." Before Harper can say anything else the moment is broken as a cheer erupts through the crowd. Tim's team has somehow won, and all the kids are shouting and hugging each other as their parents clap from the stands. But Angela and Harper are both staring wide-eyed at their friends as Tim dips his head and places a chaste kiss to Lucy's lips.

"They've totally forgotten we're here," Harper points out.

"Too bad, I was looking forward to that triple date after all." Angela chuckles, as they stand up and begin to walk towards the parking lot, handing their suspect to a patrol that's waiting for them and promising to tell Blake he was called into work early.

Walking back to the field, Angela smirks at Tim when his eyes go wide and his mouth gapes open when he sees them, his part down under seemingly catching up to his brain and the fact they're in a public park with their coworkers around. "Congratulations, Timothy," Angela calls in a sing-song voice, joining Tim, Lucy, and Genny near the mound.

Tim narrows his eyes, suspecting her words are about more than baseball, but he wisely stays silent and just hums his gratitude.

"Uncle Tim, Coach Lucy, we're going to In-N-Out to celebrate. Wanna come?" Tyler shouts, interrupting the moment.

Tim turns to Lucy and raises an eyebrow in question. She smiles at him but shakes her head softly. "I will join you guys next time. Coach Lucy had a very long day at work."

Tyler nods and thanks Lucy for helping coach his team before running back to the dugout to his friends.

"I will see you all next shift, and next practice," she tells her coworkers and secret sister-in-law, respectively. Then waves goodbye and makes a quick retreat, having recognized the glint on Angela's eyes and wanting nothing to do with that.

"You coming with us? Or do you have other plans?" Genny asks Tim in a way that lets him know she absolutely thinks he does.

"I can't. Kojo," he says as a way of an explanation and ignores all three women rolling their eyes because they all know he has a very reliable pet-sitter. He quickly thanks the parents for being there and rushes after Lucy, his defenses still up.

"I'm sorry about him," Genny says sheepishly, chuckling when they nod knowingly and wave her concern away. "He thinks nobody knows but even Tamara has been texting me about all the time he's spending at the apartment."

"Well, that won't last long," Harper deadpans, and at their questioning look, clarifies, "He turned right towards Lucy's apartment and not left towards his house." She points to their cars in the distance and they all can't help but laugh when they see Tim's truck a few cars behind Lucy as they head east towards her home.

As they walk back to their cars, Genny's words catch up to Angela and she stops and turns to her. "Wait, you know Tamara?"

Genny nods, then further explains. "Tim asked if a friend from work could spend Christmas with us. I knew it would be Lucy but didn't make a huge deal and agreed. A few days later he texted asking if her roommate could come too and the rest is history."

"Interesting," Angela murmurs as they resume their walk, thinking that they must be further along in their relationship than she'd thought. Reaching the parking lot, she says her goodbyes and goes to her car, feeling lighter than when she arrived.

And even lighter she feels as she pulls out her phone and sends a quick text to Tim before backing out of her spot and driving home to Wes and Jack.

-x-x-x-

Tim had been on edge ever since Lucy's domestic violence call earlier that day. That's the only explanation to how he beats her to her apartment even when he had left the field after her. Now as he sits nervously in his car, he can't shake the feeling that she might be worse off than she had let on at the game.

Domestic violence calls were some of the worst and he had seen her roll her shoulders and rub at a spot on the back of her head a few times during the game when she thought he wasn't looking. As her former T.O., he knows she is ready to handle that and any call on her own, but as her boyfriend, he can't help but worry.

As he sits there, he thinks back to the first time they met. She was the hotshot rookie with a personality brighter than the sun and he was the broody training officer pissed off with life and missing his ex-wife. They were like oil and water but somehow had grown up to have a great partnership and friendship. In between psychoanalyzing his personal life and impressing him on the job, she snuck up on him and he had found himself growing increasingly attached to her, and before he knew it, he was a goner and head over heels in love with his rookie.

Once upon a time the thought would have scared him but now, he smiles to himself and lets out a sigh of relief when her car finally pulls into the parking spot next to his. He watches as she gets out of her car, his eyes scanning her warily as he looks for hidden injuries or anything that seems out of place.

Getting out of his car, he walks to her, and she turns to him, a small smile on her face. "Hey," she says.

"Hey," he echoes, pulling her into a hug. "Are you okay?"

She nods, burrowing deeper into his arms. "I'm okay, and better now. It was a tough call but nothing I couldn't handle."

"No surprise there. I'm proud of you," Tim whispers against her hair. "But I was still so worried when I heard the call. We didn't get an update until after arresting Moses and Quinlan's crew and dispatch said there had been an altercation at the scene. And when I finally got back to the station you were already gone. I've been wanting to hug you since I saw you at the game."

Lucy tightens her arms around Tim's middle and rests her head over his heart, her own skipping a beat like every time he says he's proud of her. "I know, I'm sorry. Commander Grey let me go after I was done with processing Kyra and Oliver." Tim makes a questioning sound at the back of his throat, so Lucy tells him the full story of how she ended up arresting both the victim and perpetrator.

Tim holds her tighter as she speaks, grateful that she's here, safe with him, but still a little bit on edge. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks, me too," Lucy says genuinely. "Want to come inside?"

He nods before pulling back, cupping her cheek as he dips his head to press a kiss to her lips. Lucy hums in contentment and raises on her tiptoes to deepen the kiss before they step away.

As they walk to her apartment, Tim can't help but notice the weariness in Lucy's posture. Her eyes look tired, and her pace is slower than usual, the energy and enthusiasm she had at the game all but gone.

"Can I get you anything?" He asks when they enter, signaling for Lucy to sit on the couch while he goes to the kitchen. "A glass of wine? A cup of tea? Some water?"

"Some tea would be great, thank you," Lucy says and breaks into a smile seeing Tim move so naturally around her place.

Tim makes a cup of her favorite tea and grabs a beer for himself and joins Lucy in the living room. She accepts the tea and takes a sip, then sets it down on the coffee table and lies down on the couch, scooting back until her back is resting against Tim's chest. He tightens his arms around her and rests his chin on the top of her head.

"Want to watch a movie?" Tim asks eventually. He's up for staying like this, secure and content in each other's arms, but he thinks a distraction might be in order.

"Yeah. Something light and funny," Lucy pleads, taking Tim's hand in hers.

"I have just the one." Tim reaches for the remote and pulls up Disney Plus.

When 'The Sandlot' starts playing, Lucy turns around to give him a small smile. She leans back to kiss him and Tim smiles against her lips when he feels her body beginning to relax against his, pleased that he's able to help her move on from a difficult day.

As they watch, Tim strokes Lucy's hair to further calm themselves down, and it isn't until a scene reminds him of Tyler's team that he speaks again. "How do you know so much about baseball?"

"You know I like baseball," Lucy says simply. "And I played softball up until college."

He looks at her, surprised. "How didn't I know that?"

"You don't know everything about me, Tim Bradford. But if you play your cards right you might learn a few new things," Lucy says smugly. "But going back to baseball, you know my parents; overachievers and big on extracurriculars. I tried a lot of sports and clubs growing up, but softball is the one that stuck."

"Ah. So, it has nothing to do with this?" Tim asks skeptically, pulling a 'Coaching Baseball for Dummies' book from behind the throw pillow he's been lying on.

Lucy closes her eyes in defeat and hides her blush against Tim's chest. "It's been a while since high school, I had to brush up on my knowledge," she mumbles against his shirt.

Tim leans forward and presses a kiss to the top of her hair. Knowing that in that one action he's fallen a little more in love with her.

They settle in to finish the movie with Tim holding her close, happy that she's safe and secretly looking forward to their next little league practice and the chance to spend more time together outside of the job. He knows this is just the beginning of their journey together and he can't wait to see what the future holds for them.

As the credits roll, Tim leans in and kisses her, infinitely grateful for her presence in his life. But unfortunately, his newfound peace is short-lived when he checks his phone and finds a text from Angela. He grunts at her 'We need to talk. You have been holding out on me, Bradford.' and sets his phone back in his pocket.

The message had been sent around the time they left the field, so he sees no point in entertaining her with a reply when it's already hours late. He keeps it to himself for the night, but tomorrow over breakfast he will talk to Lucy about filling out some paperwork. He knows he won't be able to keep hiding how he feels if she's ever in danger again, so they'd better come clean before Angela gives away their secret.

#Chenford #the rookie #tim bradford #lucy chen #the rookie 5x11

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