Undercover Love

Three

POV: Lucy

It had been a week since I was discharged from the hospital and today was my first day back at work.

I stared in the mirror at my body as I got ready. My wounds were beginning to scar, and the bruises had mostly faded. A deep cut had been made through the tattoo of my 'Day Of Death' which I quite enjoyed the irony of.

When I got to the station, everyone clapped which I had prepared for, so it didn't feel too awkward. Although it did feel like what happened with Caleb all over again, which caused me to feel excruciatingly dizzy. My breathing quickened and I felt like my heart might burst out my chest. All of a sudden I felt extremely panicked, like I was trapped in a box I couldn't escape from, and darted out the room. As I sped through the corridors, I walked right past Tim who stopped me in my tracks, worry plastered on his face.

"What happened?" he asked, confused.

"Nothing." I mumbled and pushed passed him.

A couple weeks later and my mind was still haunted by what had happened. I could forget about it when on duty, but as soon as I was off, memories cursed the day and my nights were disturbed by dreams. Tim still hadn't taken me on the date he promised. I was starting to think he never would, maybe he changed his mind. Maybe he didn't feel as I thought he did.

POV: Tim

Lucy was a mess. I could see she was trying to hide it and it seemed like everyone was buying it, but not me. I was trying to give her space to deal with her feelings, but if she needed me I would be there. However it was still killing me not being able to ask her out. Ever since we kissed to prepare for going undercover, I've not been able to keep her out my mind.

"Tim?" Grey repeated.

"Uhh yeah, that should be fine." I replied, only half certain that he had suggested me and Lucy ride together.

I made my way over to my shop after getting the gear, surprised to see Lucy already there, waiting for me.

"Hey." she said, smiling softly.

"Hey." I replied, returning the smile.

She got in the passengers seat after a moment of silence between us. After a few minutes of driving, dispatch radioed in with a potential burglary and Lucy attached us onto it.

"Could be fun." she joked and turned to look at me. "You've been avoiding me, why?" I was taken aback by the statement and laughed a little, making her frown.

"Lucy I promise you I'm not avoiding you." I replied truthfully.

"Mhmm, just drive."

After a few minutes I finally responded, "You just seemed like you needed space, that's all."

"So you just lied to me? Wow Bradford how could you?" She said sarcastically.

"Officer Chen, do you think it's wise to make sarcastic comments to your superior. I may not be your TO anymore but I still outrank you." I retorted, a serious tone in my voice.

"Sorry, Sir." she responded, emphasising the last word with a slight eyeroll that didn't go unnoticed.

"Do you need space?" I rephrased what I originally had said, wanting an answer.

"No. Honestly, its been a rough few weeks but I'm working through it. I think that you not being there made me think you didn't want to see me."

"So I made it worse?"

"Maybe." She admitted.

When we got to the location the front door appeared to have been forcefully opened. We both got out the car quickly and breached the entrance after radioing for backup. I heard sounds upstairs so signalled for Lucy to take downstairs, and headed for the stairs.