Lucy Chen felt a slight flutter in her stomach as she parked the patrol car outside the Los Angeles Police Department. It was just another day on the surface, but inside, everything felt different. Working with Tim Bradford, her former TO (Training Officer), had turned into something more than a professional relationship. Their glances were lingering longer than they should, and every accidental touch felt charged, as if it held more weight than it needed to.
Since the day Lucy had been assigned to Tim as a rookie, their dynamic had undergone a complete transformation. Tim had been harsh, demanding, and cold, but there had always been a protective side to him, hidden beneath layers of armor. Over time, Lucy had learned that behind Bradford's tough exterior was a man with deep scars and an unexpectedly soft heart.
"Thinking too hard again, Chen?" came the familiar low rumble of Tim's voice as she walked up to the station's entrance. He stood there, leaning against the doorway, a half-smirk playing on his lips as he watched her snap out of her thoughts.
"You're the one distracting me, Sergeant," Lucy shot back, her smile matching his. It was meant to sound casual, but even she knew her words held a truth she hadn't dared to voice yet.
Tim sighed, but his eyes gleamed with understanding. "Come on, we've got a call—robbery downtown. Let's go," he said, his tone professional but not without a hint of something warmer, something that was becoming more frequent between them.
As they got into the car, Lucy glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Tim was focused, as always, but she knew him well enough by now to recognize the moments when he allowed his guard to drop, even for a second. Moments like this.
The engine roared to life, and they pulled into the busy streets of L.A. The city was chaotic as usual, but inside the patrol car, there was a quietness between them that was comfortable, yet filled with unspoken tension.
"So, what's the plan?" Lucy asked, breaking the silence, trying to focus on the job at hand.
Tim glanced over at her, his expression serious but soft. "Same as always. We go in, assess the situation, and handle it," he replied, his voice steady. But there was an undertone in his words, something unsaid.
As they sped toward the scene, Lucy couldn't help but wonder how much longer they could keep dancing around whatever this was between them. She knew it was complicated. Tim was her superior, and they both had enough baggage to fill a truck, but something in her told her that it was worth the risk.
For now, though, she put those thoughts aside. There was work to do. But as they neared their destination, Lucy stole one more glance at Tim, her mind already wandering back to the inevitable moment when they'd have to confront what was growing between them.
