The TO's kid (Tim Bradfords daughter ff) ON HOLD

Healing isnt easy

POV. Tim

I wake up sweating. It's been going like this for days. Isobel is in rehab and Quinn is in shut down mode. She doesn't want to talk. As if that's something new. She's shutting down about what she saw that night. Her mother with a bullet in her head.
I can't get the courage to visit Isobel in rehab and neither are we supposed to in this stage of her journey. But even if I could I just can't get myself to. I know that I can't let her back into Quinn and my life. Not completely. It's like Quinn said what now?

One thing I know is I'm going back to work I can't sit around here anymore I need to get back out there.

I get up and look at my clock.
7:00 it reads. Thank goodness I don't have to lay around staring at the ceiling.

I decide to wake Quinn. I don't think she should go to school yet but I also don't think she should be alone. Honestly I don't know what I'm thinking. I'm just trying my best and the best I got is to take her with me to the station.

„Hey Quinn?" I walk into her room.
She's sleeping. She looks so peaceful although everything in her inside must be nothing like peaceful.

„Quinn?" I ask quietly strolling her shoulder to wake her up.
She shoots up breathing heavily.
Yup nothing like peaceful.
„Hey, it's just me your okay." I reassure her brushing the hair out of her face.
She calms down and sits up properly.
„I think it would be best if you come with me. That way I have you close to me." I say.
„I don't need a babysitter I'm fine." She sighs
„Well though." I say. I know she's not fine and I also know I need her close to me.

We drive over to the station quietly. As I pull into the parking lot she sighs.
„Can't I go back home?" she asks.
„Quinn, I know this is hard for you but just try and see it from my standpoint. I want you with me. I want you safe." I explain myself.
„Well I'd be safe home." she argues.
„You know I don't mean physically." I say.
„Oh my gosh dad! Please stop treating me like some fragile object!" she slightly raises her voice.
„Quinn with what you saw it would be crazy if you were fine you have got to acknowledge that!" I try and reason with her.
„I'm my goodness all you keep talking about is how I have to acknowledge not being fine! Dad I know! Do you want me to acknowledge something? Your all over me and I hate it! I don't know what the thought you in cop school but every once in a while you need to give a person space! My gosh!" she say throwing her head back against the seat.

I look at her puzzled. All I've given her is space. She won't talk to me and I stopped trying with that exact thought in mind. But still wanting her close and safe , is that wrong?
I decide to go with what my gut tells me.

„Okay. You can have your space." I give in.
„Wait really?" she sounds hopeful.
„In the breakroom of the station." I disappoint.
„Ughh" she huffs but admits defeat.

POV. Quinn
„Quinn!" Angela greets me enthusiastically
„hey..." I say just a tad less enthusiastic.
„What are you doing here?" she asks.
„Ask him!" I say pointing at dad.
„You can stay in the break room. I'll come check on you every once in a while. Please just stay there!" he begs.
I nod and make my way to the break room.

„Hey!" I'm greeted by a surprised Lucy.
I'm still thinking back to that day in the hospital. Her holding my hand and listening to me. Me falling asleep on her shoulder. It meant so much to me.
Yet I felt like I was betraying my mom.
She was barely alive in the next room while I was talking crap about her to Lucy.

„Hi." is all I say.
„How have you been?" she asks.
„Okay I guess." I shrug.

„Chen let's go!" dad walks in.
„Coming" she says.
„maybe we can talk later." she slightly smiles at me strocking my arm.