The Transfer

Chapter 19: Night of Surprises

3rd person's POV:

The next morning, Tim and Lucy woke up to the sun streaming through the curtains of her apartment. They had a rare day off together, and they decided to make the most of it. After breakfast, they planned their day.

They started with a morning run in the nearby park, enjoying the fresh air and each other's company. Afterward, they headed to a cozy café for coffee and pastries, chatting about everything from work to their future plans.

In the afternoon, they went shopping, picking out outfits for the evening's outing. Angela had sent a message in the group chat earlier, letting everyone know the details.

Angela: "Hey everyone! We're going to The Blue Lantern tonight. Meet me there at 8 PM. Can't wait to see you all!"

Excited for the night out, Lucy chose a chic black dress that hugged her figure, paired with red heels and a matching clutch. Tim opted for a casual yet stylish look with dark jeans, a crisp white shirt, and a leather jacket.

Back at Lucy's apartment, they got ready together. Lucy spent extra time on her makeup, wanting to look her best. Tim watched her with admiration, feeling lucky to have her in his life.

"You look stunning." He said, wrapping his arms around her from behind as she applied her lipstick.

"Thanks." She replied, smiling at their reflection in the mirror.

At 8PM, they arrived at The Blue Lantern. The bar was buzzing with energy, its modern décor and dim lighting creating a vibrant atmosphere. They spotted Angela, Harper, and the rest of the team already gathered around a large table near the back.

"Hey, you two!" Angela greeted them with a grin. "Glad you could make it."

The group settled in, ordering drinks and chatting animatedly. After a while, Angela suggested a drinking game to liven things up.

"Let's play a game. Each person takes their turn to say something out loud. If you've done what the person says, then you take a shot." She proposed, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Angela: "I'll start. Drink if you've ever... fallen asleep at work."

Laughter erupted as a few people, including herself, sheepishly took a shot. The game continued, each statement revealing more about every person at the table.

Harper: "Drink if you've ever lied to get out of a date."

Several people, including Lucy, took a shot, prompting knowing glances and giggles.

Angela: "Drink if you've ever been handcuffed- not on duty."

More laughter as Angela and a few others drank, sharing amused glances and teasing comments.

Tim: "Drink if you've ever crashed a patrol car."

This one brought groans and few guilty drinks, even from Grey, who shared a brief and embarrassed smile.

Lucy: "Drink if you've ever thought one of you colleague looked good."

More drinks and sly smiles were exchanged, the atmosphere becoming more relaxed and jovial.

When it was Angela's turn again, she decided to spice things up. With a smile, she said, "Drink if you made out with a colleague and liked it."

Tim and Lucy exchanged a quick glance. Lucy felt her cheeks heat up, but she didn't reach for her drink, hoping to avoid suspicion. However, Angela's keen eyes didn't miss a thing.

"Interesting." Angela said, her tone teasing.

As the game continued, the team shared more laughs and revealed more secrets. The bonds between them grew stronger, and the night seemed to fly by.

At one point, Lucy excused herself to go to the restroom. On her way back, she was intercepted by Emmett, her ex- boyfriend, who had spotted her from across the bar.

"Hey, Lucy." Emmett greeted her, stepping closer than she was comfortable with. "It's been a while. How have tou been?"

Lucy forced a polite smile, trying to maintain a friendly distance. "Hi, Emmett. I've been good, thanks. Just busy with work, you know."

Emmett nodded, but instead of taking the hint, he moved even closer, his hand brushing against her arm. "Yeah, I've heard you've been doing some great work. Must be stressful, though. You look like you could use a break."

Lucy took a small step back, her discomfort growing. "Thanks, but I'm fine. Just out with some friends tonight."

Emmett didn't seem to notice her attempt to create space. His hand lingered on her arm, and he leaned in, lowering his voice. "Come on, Lucy. We had some good times, didn't we? I've missed you."

Lucy tried to step back again, her heart racing. "Emmett, please. I'm here with my friends."

He didn't relent, his grip tightening slightly. "You don't have to be so distant. We could catch up, maybe pick up where we left off?"

When he didn't get an answer, Emmett pulled her closer to himself and asked, "You're not dating anyone are you?"

Before Lucy could respond, Tim, who had been watching from the table, stood up and walked over, placing a protective arm around her waist. "Actually, she is." Tim said firmly, meeting Emmett's gaze. "She's with me."

The table fell silent, all eyes on the situation, hearing every word. Everyone staring at Tim and Lucy in surprise. Emmett, taken aback, mumbled an excuse and quickly left.

Tim's declaration hung in the air as their colleagues processed what had just happened. Angela was the first to speak, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Well, well, well. Seems lik you two have been holding out on us."

Lucy, still feeling the adrenaline from the confrontation, took a deep breath. "We've been seeing each other for a while," she admitted. "We didn't want it to affect our work."

Harper raised her glass in a toast. "To Tim and Lucy. About time you two came clean."

The others followed suit, clinking glasses and congratulating them. The atmosphere lightened, and soon the group was back to laughing and enjoying the night, now with a new topic of conversation.

As the night wore on, Lucy felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She leaned into Tim, feeling grateful for his support and the acceptance of their friends. They had faced the challenge together, and now they could look forward to whatever came next, knowing they had each other's back.

The conversation at the table shifted to more lighthearted topics, with everyone sharing funny stories and memories from their time on the force. Angela, never one to let an
Opportunity for teasing pass, couldn't resist a final jab.

"So, Tim." She said, smirking. "How long did you think you could keep this a secret from us?"

Tim laughed, shaking his head. "Honestly, I'm surprised it took you this long to figure it out."

Lucy playfully elbowed him, a smile lighting up her face. "You know Angela, she's like a bloodhound when it comes to sniffing out secrets."

Angela raised her glass in mock salute. "What can I say? It's a gift."

The group erupted in laughter, the camaraderie and good humor carrying them through the rest of the evening. By the time they were ready to leave, they were closer than ever, the events of the night solidifying their bonds.

As they left the bar and headed home, Tim and Lucy walked hand in hand, the cool night air refreshing after the warmth and noise of the bar. They knew there would be challenges ahead, but for now, they were content, knowing they had the support of their friends and each other.