The Past, The Present, The Future

#3

Some days had passed by when Lucy was finally allowed to go home. She still had some bruises and scratches all over her body but she looked a lot better. The officer was exhausted, though, sleeping in a hospitals always seemed impossible for Lucy. Not to mention the nightmares that wouldn't leave her alone although when one of her friends stayed with her it was more bearable.

Sometimes Nolan would stay with her, other times it would be Jackson the one who would sleep over and surprisingly enough sometimes Tim would stay with her until she fell asleep and even Angela would stay with her the whole night sitting on the small uncomfortable chair next to her just to watch over Lucy and make sure she was alright.

She wasn't going to lie, it was a little  embarrassing to have her TO's wake up to her screams even if they reassure her it was not her fault. A part of Lucy wanted to believe it wasn't because they were pitying her but the looks they all gave her when she woke up trashing and covered in sweat as she had a panic attack told her otherwise.

But she was fine, seriously, she was feeling okay at some point the nightmares wpuld stop and everything would go back to normal. Nothing had changed at all, all Chen wanted to do was get back to work and forget the last days events. Maybe it was not the greatest copying mechanism but it would work and that's what the officer care about. Though it wouldn't happen in another week since the doctor basically forced to take the rest of the week to get better.

Lucy was lost in thought as she got ready to go back home. She was happy to return, sure, but she really didn't want to be alone in the apartment. Jackson was away visiting his parents and she wasn't going to ask John to stay with her. Little by little she felt the anxiety building, Chen was aware her home was a safe place but she couldn't help it.

Suddenly she heard a knock on the door. Lucy turned her head only to see Lopez and Harper coming in. The younger officer frowned. Why were Nyla and Anglea here? They had somethings packed in their bags, Lucy noticed as they waved at her.

"Uh... Not to be rude but what are you two doing here? I'm about to leave, I thought you knew" Lucy asked with a hoarse voice, her throat was still sore.

"Well Chen, that's exactly why we are here, we are your ride. So get your things so we can leave." Nyla told her as she walked towards her to help her pack the few things that were out of her bag.

Lucy was about to open her mouth to protest but Angela beat her to it.

"Ah, ah, ah. Do you really thing we were going to let you go home alone in your state? Now come one, move." Lopez left no  place to argue as she rushed Lucy to walk after taking Lucy's bag and draping her over her shoulder.

Chen limited to nod, she was too exhausted to even talk and started walking, she was still a little unsteady on her feet so she stumbled a bit. Even if she was not going to admit it, the officer still felt tired and weak, her vision was still a little blurry and her head hurt so it was hard to focus. Even if the task was as small as walking or that was 'till she felt a gentle hand on her lower back guiding her through the hallways.

The younger woman couldn't help but stiffen by the touch until she saw Angela smiling softly at her. For some reason Lucy couldn't explain, it helped her calm in a way she had never felt.

Soon enough they were in the car. Harper drove as she argued with Angela who was sat in the passenger seat over who knows what. Lucy was in the backseat, her head resting on the window as she tried to fight off the sleep.

Five minutes later she lost the battle and let the tiredness took over. The last thing she heard was Nyla shushing Lopez when she saw the younger woman sleeping. No matter how hard Lucy tried to hide it, they were both detectives and knew that the rookie was having a hard time.

It wasn't long when the three women reached Lucy's apartment. Harper was busy getting Chen to wake up as Angela opened the door. It wasn't a small place but definitely not big enough for three people, there were only two rooms.

They hoped Jackson didn't mind sharing his room since Nyla nor Lopez planned to leave Lucy alone. They needed to make sure she ate or at least got some hours of decent sleep.

It was late in the night, they were all tired and the younger officer was basically still high on drugs so they decided to just go to sleep and in the morning they would talk about the arrangements since Jackson would be home in three days still.

Nyla would stay in Jackson's room and Angela would sleep with Lucy to make sure she didn't have any nightmares. Harper didn't even bother to say 'good night' as she walked into her respective room as Lopez lead a very sleepy Lucy to her room. 

Almost carrying all of Lucy's weight, Angela managed to sit her down on the bed. Without a word she started searching on Lucy's drawers for something more comfortable to wear. What Chen was wearing didn't look any comfortable, she was wearing a jean with a tank top, nothing comfortable to sleep in.

Methodically helped Lucy change. Trying to not mind the scars on Lucy's back and shoulders. They looked old and were a circular shape and looked more burns but still it was odd. It wasn't her place to question Lucy.

She changed her into what she thinks is Jackson's shirt which looked giantic on her tiny frame and some loose shorts. It made Chen look awfully small and some wave of protectivness showered Angela.

"Come on, let get you to bed" She softly ordered the other officer as she dragged her to bed. Lucy didn't fight her and let Lopez guide her.

Angela pulled the covers for Lucy to get comfortable and then tucked her in. Then she moved to the othet side and lay next to Lucy who was softly snoring next to her. Lopez had never felt to calm next to someone else.

She had just to closed her eyes when she heard Chen squirming next to her before talking.

"Angie?" She questioned softly. Usually Lopez didn't like being called like that not even her siblings but for some reason with Lucy she really didn't care.

"Mhm?" The other woman replied without opening her eyes.

"Can you pass me the blanket that's in the nightstand?" Lucy responded sleepily as she moved her body to face the other officer.

Angela didn't answer but move to grab the small blanket next to her. When she saw it, her breath hitched. It was the exact same as Amelias, it was a knitted purple baby blanket. It had the A.L initials swen on it, Lopez quickly moved to look at the woman next to her and then back to the blanket.

It was improbable, possibly just a coincidence. Angela shook her head and handed the blanket to Lucy who murmured a small thank you before going back to sleep. Memories hit Lopez like a truck, it was impossible, she would definitely recognize her own kid but now all the tiredness had left her body.

She didn't respond back, she couldn't. Angela limited to lay on her side, her back facing Lucy as silent tears fell from her eyes. She was now so confused, she had made that blanket herself. There was no way Lucy could have bought it somewhere or it wouldn't have specifically those intials.

That night Lopez didn't sleep. She just laid next to the younger officer and listened to her breathing.