Tell Him I Love Him

2. He Looks Tired

"I think the raid is over. I really just need to talk to Tim," Lucy pleaded from the passenger seat of Noah's car.

"The second you got into this car, you started being undercover. It's against protocol. I'm sorry."

"Can't you just make an exception? Just this once?"

"Lucy, it's my first time being a handler. This is important to me. Just put your head down and do the work. You'll be back with your boyfriend before you know it."

"He's...he doesn't really like undercover work, and I think he could really benefit from just talking to me for a few minutes."

"You know, when you mentioned him while we were at UC school together, I knew you liked him, but I didn't know how much. You really like this guy?" Noah looked over to see the way her eyes sparkled at the thought of her boyfriend.

"Tim is the most important relationship in my life. I never want to live without him."

"So, naturally you wanna work deep cover cases," he shot back sarcastically.

"I can have a career I love, and a man I love."

"From where I'm sitting, it seems like you picked your career."

"No, I picked both. This op will get me my promotion, which I really want for the trajectory of my future, and Tim is another part of my future."

"Fair enough. Alright, let's get started on going over your cover. We've got a lot to run through. Let's start with your new name: Jasmine Wang."

"Jasmine?"

"I didn't pick it," he shrugged and started explaining every detail of her cover, the details of the operation he was aware of, the names of major players, and more.

Lucy felt a little overwhelmed from being inundated with information, but by the time they pulled up to a bar, she was emotionally ready.

"Your apartment is above the bar. I pretended to be you and messaged the person who owns the whole building. Her name is Monica. She agreed to knock down the price of rent for you to work a few shifts at the bar below, so she's your landlord and your boss. This is the bar where the brains of the child trafficking ring hang out. You know their names, and now you need to befriend them, casually share your background, and infiltrate the group."

"Got it."

Noah exhaled deeply. "Ready?"

She took a minute to center herself to answer honestly. "Yes. I've got this."

"Hell yeah you do!" He handed her the pre packed duffel bag and then gave her a pat on the back before driving away.

Lucy received her apartment key from Monica and then went upstairs to see the small but cozy studio. There was nothing special about it, but at least it was not dingy. For the most part, it was well kept. She knew she should have prepped the apartment by stowing guns in secret spots, hiding her phone, moving her clothes in, and everything else, but instead, she sat at the edge of the bed and ran her fingers along her necklace.

Tim's necklace. He gave it to her for Valentine's Day. He had selected it himself. It was simple and beautiful, and it became Lucy's favorite piece of jewelry. She NEVER took it off, and she did not intend to go undercover without it. Without a piece of Tim. It was a reminder of the man she loves. It was a reminder of what she was fighting for. Lucy promised herself that she would take down the trafficking ring and arrive home to FINALLY tell Tim how she feels in her own words. She was planning on working quickly, so that she could tell him that she loves him and hopefully hear him say it back. That was all she fixated on with every step she took to set up her apartment- hearing Tim tell her he loves her, too.