They were both standing in the living room, out of breath, looking at each other. Home was now silent—no more screams, no more fights. She took her car's keys and left.
She finally came home two hours later. He was still there, sitting on the couch. She sat next to him with puffy eyes, fidgetting with her fingers.
L: We need to talk, Tim, we need to have this conversation.
T: Which conversation?
L: I'm done with all of this. I can't fight with you anymore. What is happening to us?
T: What do you mean you're done?
L: Come on, Tim, open your eyes for a second. The last time you kissed me was 2 weeks ago; the last time you held my hand was maybe 3 weeks ago; you're working when I'm off; I'm not going to talk about sex because I don't even remember when the last time was. And when we are in the same room, we can't talk anymore because we are fighting for nothing. Do you think it's healthy? Don't you think we deserve more than fighting all the time? What's wrong with us? Don't tell me nothing is happening... ?
T: I don't know Lucy.
L: And?
T: And what? What do you want, Lucy?
L: Truth for god sake.
T: Truth? Which one? We are falling apart, Lucy!
"We are falling apart." That one hurt. He was right. They were, but when they heard, it was hurtful.
L: Did you cheat on me, Tim?
T: No. Never. Lucy, I will never.
Cheating was the only explanation she had in mind. She believed him. Tim was not a liar. She looked at him; she knew he was hiding something.
L: Please, Tim, speak. You've got something on your mind; say it.
T: You disappeared for one week. One week. No news, nothing. The same thing was happening again. You were somewhere without backup, no cell phone. Doing what? Work? I was in the same position as years ago with Isabel. And when you finally came back to us, you were off. Deep inside of me, I knew I was not ready to go through hell again. Could you understand? I was not ready to lose you because of that. I distanced myself from you.
L: Tim, i...
T: You what? You are sorry? I already know. She was sorry every time. Every fucking time.
L: I'm not her. Tim, you distanced yourself from me because you were scared of losing me because of my work, but look at us now. You are losing me for another reason.
T: I know you are not her Luce, but what if? What if one day you...
That time, it was him who was crying. His trauma was deeper than anybody could imagine. Even if he worked on it, a part of him was still injured. He made a decision that was unconscious. He took a step back just in case, to protect him. Not the right call.
L: Tim, look at me. Please. Do you want me to stop UC?
T: I will never ask you to.
L: Even if it can save us?
T: Luce, I love you, and I will probably love you for the rest of my life, but I can't ask you to end your career. You fought so hard to be where you are; it will be so selfish.
L: When it comes to saving us, it's not selfish.
T: Yes, it is Luce, and you know it.
L: So what? We're done? Over ? This is what you want?
T: Of course not. But if we are having this conversation today, it's because I ruined everything.
L: You ruined something, not everything.
T: Where are you going?
L: In the kitchen, I need water.
To be honest, she needed to be alone for a minute. She put her hands on the sink and started crying. She was lost and scared. Scared that the discussion will end everything. He messed up. But maybe she messed things up too. Maybe she didn't fight enough to prove him she was not like Isabel? How hard it was to lose him that way.
Tim was behind her. Suddenly, he hugged her, and his face went deep into her neck. He moved his hand to hers before he interlocked their fingers. She calmed down. Lucy turned toward him and looked at him with teary-eyed.
T: Lucy I.
L: Shh. Do you trust me?
Tim nodded and looked at Lucy, a bit confused. She took her phone and called someone.
...: Detective Chen?
L: Sir, I need to talk to you.
"What are you doing?"" Tim whispered. But she wasn't listening to him. She was determined.
...:Go on, Chen.
L: Well, sir, I'm done with the UC Mission. I will not take them anymore.
...: Something wrong?
L: No, nothing. I just realized I've got more important things to deal with, and being on UC for days, weeks, or months will not work. The detective's job is more than enough.
... : Understood Chen. Will you allow UC when it's just for a day?
L: Yes, of course, sir.
...: You made your choice, bu do i have any chance to make you think some other way ?
L: No chance, sir.
...: Well, See you tomorrow, Chen.
L: Have a nice day, sir.
She hung up and took a deep breath. She was at peace with her decision.
T: What did you do?
L: I chose us.
T: But Lucy, you dropped something you are fucking good at.
L: You did the same.
T: When?
L: Remember when we started dating? You went to Grey and took a Sergent desk job just because you didn't want me to go to another station. You chose us instead of your career. I chose us because I'm not ready to let you go. I love you, Tim. I want to fight to have us back. The fact that earlier you came and hugged me when I was crying in the kitchen changed everything. You still care. I still have a job I love. But Timothy, you have to take this seriously and finally get help. You need to work on your trauma and insecurities.
T: I know. But you didn't have to end UC.
L: I had to; I wanted to. End of discussion. No more lies, no more hiding feelings, no more stupid fights—no more all of this.
Tim smiled and nodded. He came closer to her, thinking how lucky he was to have someone who wanted to fight for him after all the mess he had make. He gazed at her and finally allowed himself to kiss her. How he missed that, his lips against hers. She deepened their kiss, and he ended it with several pecks. "I missed you," he said against her lips with a smile.
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09/06/2024. Hi Guys. Had another idea this morning (actually i had two...) here we are. May write another one tomorrow if i have time. Hope you liked it ! Vote and comment, it helps a lot :) Thank you, and take care. xx
