SURPRISE? // CHENFORD.

PLAIN CLOTHES DAY.

Quick disclaimer
I know these chapters are boring but I feel they're necessary to see Lucy and Tims relationship strengthen and grow!

The one day a year when a TO can relax, though they can't. The rookies haven't faded out of their clueless act yet, the puppy fat still blinding them, so to speak. Angela, Tim and Talia sat in their same line. Angela dressed in a black shirt, a beige cardigan over the top with some black jeans and some flexible shoes. A few pieces of jewellery to highlight her look. Tim was dressed in a white shirt, though it was covered by a grey sweatshirt, and he was wearing some black pants and flexible shoes. Talia was also the same, casual but practical. A white shirt, black jeans, flexible and malleable shoes.

They sat there, sternly and expectantly. This was their rookies' first proper test, and they couldn't wait. Well, 'they', meaning Tim.  He had his arms firmly crossed as he looked over at Lucy, taking notice of her relaxed demeanour. That's something he noted the more they rode together. She was a nervous wreck sometimes, sure, but she was calm. Her adrenaline never over ran her logical thoughts. He liked that about her. No he didn't, he couldn't.

Grey announced today was Plain Clothes Day and Nolan's hand raised like a broken record that never knew when to stop. "Sir.. What is Plain Clothes day?" He asked sheepishly, before Grey chuckled slightly at the question, along with some officers in the room.

Grey glanced over Lucy and Jackson. "Officer West, enlighten us on Plain Clothes day." He said, gesturing with his hand.

Jackson spoke up, he was used to being picked on but was never easy. "Plain Clothes day is when the Training Officer's observe the rookies. They write an evaluation that we get at the end of the day. They're not allowed to intervene at any time, unless it's life or death." Jackson spoke with increasing confidence.

Grey nodded as he concluded, "Good. Now. Any questions?" He glanced around the room, then focused on John, "Any questions, Nolan?" He repeated as a joke, earning a few laughs from other officers. "No- no. Sir." Nolan said with a confident nod, not realising he was joking.

Grey shook his head and walked back to the podium, chuckling. "Stay safe out there. Dismissed." He said as he concluded the briefing.

The three TOs left the room and waited for the rookies as they walked out.

"They look so grown up." Angela commented, a grin on her face.

"They do." Tim and Talia both chimed in, teasing grins on their face as they watched the rookies approach. They approached soon enough, waiting for an order before Jackson caught on, "Right- right. Let's go." He said, and with that, him and Angela left for patrol. Leaving Tim, Lucy, Talia and John. Tim and Talia gave them expectant looks.

Lucy glanced at John, then the two TOs out of confusion. "Hello?" She asked them, seriously confused now. Tim and Talia glanced at eachother, then at the rookies.

"Ohhh." Realisation hit John like a brick. "We tell them what to do, since they're 'not here'." He said to Lucy, and she caught on, nodding.

"They really take it seriously, huh?" She quipped and smirked a little. "Let's go then." She said and they split off into pairs.

They met up with Angela and Jackson at the equipment passover, Lucy went to grab two war bags and Tim interrupted, "Why are you taking two boot?" He asked her.

"I-uh- I don't know." She said and put one back, but before it could be collected, Jackson picked it up, "You need two in case of a backup, they may not think they're here, but once something goes sideways, they're definitely here." He said and handed it to Lucy.

"Nice job, boot. First of many tests." Tim said with a nod before him and Angela walked away, leaving a shaken up Lucy and a smug Jackson. "Ignore them." He said as he filled out inventory. "They're just trying to get under your skin, you'll do great." He assured her.