He might not remember exactly when his feelings for Lucy changed for the first time, but he could easily tell you when his heart missed a beat for the first time.
"Angela's wedding was the first time : Lucy came to talk to him; she was wearing that green dress. It was the first time he really looked at her in this way. He quickly talked about her UC op. When she was on her way to leave him to enjoy the wedding, he looked at her one last time, and it came out of his mouth, "Hey Chen, save me a dance.". She looked at him, a shy smile on her face. He wanted to dance with her. "
Seven months after their breakup, they were still navigating to find each other back. Tim was working hard on therapy, twice a week. It was not easy, but it was necessary. He opened and closed more doors than he thought. He realized he was not a bad guy; he was just drowning in his traumas. His insecurities made him sabotage his relationship with Lucy. Even if, at first, he left her because he loved her and wanted to protect her, he realized that he had taken a decision that was not his to take. He had this talk with Lucy; he confessed everything, even the vow to kill Ray. Her first response was a hug, and then she talked. It was hard to listen, but necessary. And when the discussion ended, when she was on her way to come home, she looked at him and reminded him, "Small doses.". She still wanted him in her life.
Seven months ago, when they had this discussion in the station's elevator, he told her he would spend the rest of his life trying to pay it back in whatever small doses she would allow. And well, he was pretty good at it. Sometimes it was a coffee, her lunch, a note in her locker, just a smile on a hard day, letting her lead an operation, giving her books for TO exams when she didn't ask for them, a text, a drink when they were all out, photo memories, flowers, a day with Kojo. It was him hiding his jealousy when someone was flirting with her at the bar or when he came to pick her up because she had too many drinks on girls night. It was a gentle arm touch, a compliment, and a two-hour phone call on Sunday morning. All of this was his small doses. Every small doses made her fall for him harder than the day before. Was she ready to have him back?
Since seven months, people around them have tried to understand what happened between the two of them. For weeks, it was the hot topic at the station until Lucy ended it. She yelled at someone. And it stopped. People had eyes; they saw that things had changed recently. They were closer for weeks. And when it came to their closest friends, well, it was crystal clear: at some point they're getting back together. Like this day, after a rough call, when Angela saw the both of them sitting on a bench, Lucy's head lay on Tim's shoulder.
Every once a year, LAPD has a charity ball with LAPD officers, LAFD, mayor, judges, celebrities, and more. This year, a bunch of Mid-Wilshire officers were invited. Tim was drinking his whisky while he was chatting with Angela when he saw her. Lucy was here, talking to Aaron. And once again, his heart missed a beat. She was wearing that green dress, the same one she wore at Angela's wedding. Against his wishes, he was smiling and falling in love with her again. They quickly stared at each other. The eyes didn't lie. And Angela didn't miss a second of it. He excused himself, left his friend, and went right to Lucy.
L: Déjà-vu?
T: Yes..
When she chose her dress, she did it on purpose. She remembered his look that day. With it, she wanted to tell him she was ready to give him another chance—to give their couple another chance. But she didn't have the words. So maybe that dress should help. She waited long enough. His small doses were something, but she wanted more. She wanted him back in her bed; she wanted to wake up next to him; she actually wanted to fight with him and hug him after. She was aware they needed to fix things, and she was aware he needed to work on himself. She was also aware that he had changed for a better version of him. And maybe at this point, she can walk next to him again.
T: You still owe me a dance in that dress, you know.
L: You just have to ask.
After a smile, he offered her his hand and led her to the dance floor. She followed him. The music was soft, making for a slow dance. After a few steps, his hand went on her lower back, and he reduced the distance between them by dragging her against him.
L: I miss you. I miss us. I miss...
T: Lucy
L: No. Let me finish, please. I miss everything. I want to wake up next to you, I want you to hold my hand, and I want to cuddle while we're binge watching TV shows on Sunday. I know we still have to work on this, on us, on our communication, but maybe we can do this together now? I'm ready to fight with you and disagree on a lot of things, but it's worth the risk. I see how you're working hard to be a better version of yourself, and I love it. I want to help you and support you. I miss hearing, "I'm home. " . I need to be home again.
T: Okay
L: Okay?
T: Okay.
L: Wait, just okay?
T: You're talking too much, Chen. You always had.
L: How dare you!
T: Your dress was enough...
L: Oh.
And just like that, she smiled. "Your dress was enough.". The song ended, as did their dance.
T: Thirty more minutes here, and then I drive you home.
L: Yours. Can we take a burger on our way?
T: Veggie burger with fries and extra pickles.
He gave her a wink, which made her laugh. He went back to Angela.
A: When are you leaving?
T: In thirty
A: You need a cover?
T: I don't even care.
A: She's the one, isn't she?
He didn't have to answer; his eyes spoke for him. Thirty minutes later, he joined her; they spoke a little before he took her hand. She looked at him, surprised. Some of the people they knew saw it, but they didn't care. He dragged her out to his truck. They stopped at the food truck, ordered, and decided to have dinner there. When Tim opened his door, Lucy felt at home. They put on comfy clothes before they sat on the couch to binge-watch a stupid TV show. It felt right to be in his arms; it felt right to have her against him. And it felt right when she kissed him for the first time in seven months. And It felt more right when he deepened the kiss. They missed it, being so close to each other and feeling the heat coming out of their bodies. They missed all of it.
" We are still kids, but we're so in love, fighting against all odds. I know we'll be alright this time. Darling, just hold my hand, be my girl, I'll be your man. I see my future in your eyes " (*)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
09/07/2024 : Hey Guys. I was bored, so i took my computer, put my music on, and here we are. I finally wrote the Green dress OS. Can i expect something like that to happen on S7? Maybe... I hope you liked it. I'm trying to start another " long " story. But, i've go too many ideas. Please comment and vote, it helps. Take care of you :)
(*) Perfect - Ed Sheeran.
