The Rookie (OC x Lucy) (Fan Fiction)

Chapter 5: The Roundup

With Wesley

The rookies gathered around an open tent where water bottles and pins were laid out for a community drive.

As Jackson walked over, John asked, "Should we be flattered that Sergeant Grey chose us to represent the department at this block party?"

Lucy rolled her eyes and replied, "You're forgetting four keywords—on our day off."

Wesley chuckled. "Someone sounds a little annoyed."

Lucy shot him a look. "Maybe I am, Wes."

Wesley grinned. "Ooh, it's cute when you're upset."

Lucy smirked. "I am. Maybe I should tell your pregnant girlfriend you said that."

Wesley shrugged. "Go ahead. She knows I call girls cute—part of my nice guy charm."

Jackson looked between them and asked, "Are you two flirting?"

Lucy and Wesley quickly responded in unison, "We're not flirting."

John laughed. "Yeah, real subtle, guys."

Jackson shook his head. "I'll take this block party as a vote of confidence."

John picked up some pins, but Jackson dumped them out with a grin. "This is some great swag. Did Grey hook you up with this?"

Lucy glanced at the pile. "I think Officer Above and Beyond might've bought those himself."

Jackson smirked. "Hey, I got a guy at Kinko's, okay?"

Wesley raised an eyebrow. "Mm-hmm."

Jackson handed over glass vases with flowers in them to Lucy and Wesley. "All right, you two make yourselves useful and fill these up with water. There's a hose in that side yard."

Wesley and Lucy walked side by side, the tension between them almost palpable.

Wesley broke the silence. "Are you okay?"

Lucy glanced at him, then away. "I'm fine. I'm sure you've heard about your brother and me breaking up."

"Yeah, I heard," Wesley replied, his tone gentle. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

Lucy shook her head. "There's nothing to talk about. Let's just focus on the job."

They reached the side of the house, the atmosphere still heavy. Wesley, not one to give up easily, pressed on. "Look, I know John can be a hardass, but he broke up with you because he didn't want you to be treated differently in the department."

"I know he did, okay?" Lucy snapped, but then her shoulders slumped, her frustration giving way to something deeper.

Wesley studied her for a moment. "Something's bothering you. What's wrong?"

Lucy avoided his gaze. "Nothing. Can we just... fill the vases?"

Wesley sighed but handed his vase to Lucy and grabbed the hose. He filled her vase first, then his own, the silence between them growing more uncomfortable by the second.

Once both vases were full, Lucy handed his back to him. Wesley hesitated, then spoke softly. "Luce, please, tell me what's going on. You're acting different, and I'm worried about you."

Lucy looked down at the vase in her hands, the water reflecting her conflicted expression. She took a deep breath, but the words seemed to stick in her throat. Finally, she looked up at Wesley, her eyes betraying the emotions she'd been trying to hide. "It's just... harder than I thought. Everything feels different now, and I don't know how to deal with it."