A Stalker's Love

2

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Lucy asked, preparing herself for how difficult Tim was going to be.

"Talk about what?" Tim huffed, not taking his eyes off the road.

"You treating me like I'm your boot again? Shoving the basket at me, indicating I was late in front of everyone even though I wasn't. What's going on with you?"

He shrugged. "Your watch must be late." He said simply.

"Really? That's really all you have to say for yourself?" Lucy said, exasperated.

"What do you want me to say, Lucy? I'm sorry that I wasn't as interested as everyone else that you have a secret boyfriend. There, you happy?"

"Wha- No, I'm not happy. You're... You're upset because you thought I had a boyfriend? Do you realise how insane that sounds?" Lucy says, confused. Tim wasn't someone who normally allowed his emotions to influence him so heavily; something must be going on with him.

Tim sighed. "I- You shouldn't be bringing your personal life into the station, anyway. It's dangerous and could-"
"Could get me killed, I know. Tim, I don't have a boyfriend. I don't know who sent me that basket, or the-" She stopped herself, hoping Tim didn't hear the last part of the sentence. He did. 

Finally, he looked over at Lucy. "This person sent you something else? What? When?" He questioned, becoming slightly concerned.

"Y-Yeah, a letter this morning. It was... It was on my front door, Tamara found it. But don't be weird, I'm sure it's nothing, just a... a prank, or someone I saved or something harmless like that." Lucy said, trying to reassure Tim. She didn't believe what she was saying, but the last thing she needed was Tim inserting himself in her business when she was still figuring everything out herself. "If the notes persist or become threatening I'll go to Grey, okay?"

Tim huffs, not completely satisfied, but he trusts that Lucy will speak up if something worse happens. "Fine."

The rest of their shift goes smoothly, with Tim and Lucy stopping for lunch at their usual spot. When work finishes, Lucy goes and gets changed and heads out, going back to her apartment. After opening her front door, she saw a pile of post on the kitchen island. She sifted through the envelopes, mostly consisting of bills and pamphlets. However, one particular envelope caught her eye: a plain outside, with only her first name written in beautiful calligraphy. She opened it, and she dropped all the other pieces of paper. Inside the deceptive envelope, was a photo with the simple caption: 'I hope you enjoyed your lunch with Sergant Tim Bradford'. She gasped, the photo depicting her and Tim earlier today enjoying their food and laughing together. Almost instantly, she was on the phone to Tim urging him to come over straight over. She sounded so scared, Tim came straight over even though he was midwalk with Kojo.

He pounded on the door, and Lucy opened it after the second knock. Kojo jumped up to greet Lucy; even though they hadn't seen eachother in months, he still remembered his owner before Tim. 

"Aw, hi, Kojo!" Lucy looked up at Tim. "Thanks for coming over. I might be over-reacting, but this kinda involves you now." Lucy handed him the photo, and watched the multiple emotions wash over his face: confusion, disgust, outrage. 

"Okay, it's time to involve Grey now. This guy is clearly stalking you, and knows who I am! He could know everyone else at the station, as well as Tamara!"

Lucy sighed. "You're right. First thing tomorrow, we'll go to Grey and fill him in." Lucy got out her phone and texted Tamara, telling her to stay at her friend's house tonight. "Thank you for coming so quickly, Tim. Have a good evening." She walked closer to the front door, assuming Tim would take his adorable dog and go back to his own home. She was wrong.

"Lucy, I'm not leaving you on your own tonight."

"Tim, I'm... I'm flattered, but I can't ask you to do that."

"Well, you're not asking. I'm offering."

"Look, thank you, but I won't be on my own. Tamara is going to be here soon."

"Good. I always liked your puppy. Maybe Kojo and her will be fast friends." He says, his words playful but his tone deadly serious.

"Tim-" Lucy started, but Tim interupted. 

"Look, I'm not taking no for an answer. So, you're being a very bad host right now."

Lucy scoffed, smiling. "Wow, okay. It's going to be like that, is it?" 

Tim nodded, laughing. "I'm going to order some takeout. How does sushi sound?" 

Lucy sighed, giving in. "Sushi sounds great. I'll find some extra bedding."
"I don't need anything like that." Tim said.

"Good. Because it's not for you, it's for Kojo." She said, smirking. 

"Wow, such a good host" Tim said, sarcasm thick in his voice.

A few minutes later, Tim and Lucy are sat on the sofa waiting for their food to come. Lucy looks at her phone, hungry and annoyed. "The food should be here by now, how long does it take?" Lucy grumbled, much to Tim's amusant.

"Jeez, I forgot how hangry you get." 

Before Lucy could reply, there was a knock at the door. "Yes, finally!" Lucy basically ran over to the door, opening it before Tim could even stand.