The Chronicles of Tim and Lucy

Trail by Fire

The next morning, Lucy arrived at the precinct early, determined to shake off the frustration of the day before. She had spent all night thinking about how she could prove herself to Tim, how she could show him that she was more than just some rookie who didn't know what she was doing. Today was going to be different.

As she sat in the locker room, adjusting her duty belt and running through her mental checklist, she heard the door swing open. A couple of fellow rookies walked in, chatting and laughing with the ease of people who hadn't yet experienced Tim Bradford's particular brand of tough love. Lucy watched them from the corner of her eye, feeling a pang of envy. At least their Training Officers seemed approachable. She had gotten the one who looked like he hadn't smiled since the Clinton administration.

Just then, Tim appeared in the doorway. Lucy braced herself.

"Chen, let's go," he barked, not even bothering to make eye contact.

"Good morning to you too," she muttered under her breath as she stood and followed him out.

If he heard her, he didn't acknowledge it. They headed out to the patrol car, and the minute she climbed into the passenger seat, Tim was already lecturing.

"We're covering the same area as yesterday, but it's a weekday. Things will be busier. You're going to need to stay on top of it." His voice was sharp, all business, as usual.

Lucy nodded, biting back the urge to snap at him. This wasn't going to be easy, but she had to figure out a way to get through to him—or at least get through the day without biting her own tongue off in frustration.

The first few hours were uneventful, though Tim kept up the same cold, detached demeanor. They responded to a couple of noise complaints, a parking violation, and a traffic stop. Every time, Tim criticized her technique or told her how she could improve without actually explaining what he wanted. It was like being graded on a test she hadn't been allowed to study for.

But then the call came in.

The radio crackled to life. "All units, we have a 211 in progress at the corner of 8th and Jefferson. Suspects are armed. Proceed with caution."

Lucy's pulse quickened. An armed robbery? On her second day? She glanced at Tim, who was already flipping on the lights and sirens, his expression tightening with focus.

"This is it, rookie," Tim said, his eyes locking with hers for the first time since they'd met. "Stay close, follow my lead, and don't get yourself killed."

Lucy swallowed, her heart hammering in her chest. This was what she had signed up for, right? The adrenaline, the danger, the chance to make a difference. But sitting in the passenger seat as the car sped toward the scene, it suddenly felt much more real than she'd expected. She tried to push down the nerves, focusing instead on the training she'd received.

They arrived at the scene to find chaos. The robbery was taking place at a small convenience store, and people were scattering in every direction, trying to get away from the danger. Tim pulled the car to a screeching halt, his voice calm but firm as he gave instructions.

"Chen, stay behind me. You're not ready for a full takedown yet."

Lucy felt her stomach twist at the comment, but she nodded, gripping her radio tighter than necessary. They moved toward the store, Tim's movements quick and calculated, like he had done this a thousand times before. His gun was already drawn, held low and steady as he surveyed the scene.

Lucy followed behind him, her own weapon holstered for now, trying to keep her breathing steady. She could hear shouting from inside the store—frantic, desperate voices.

Tim motioned for her to take cover behind a parked car, and she did so, crouching low as she peered over the hood to get a look at the building. There were at least two suspects inside, waving guns around, shouting at the store owner, who was cowering behind the counter.

For a moment, everything slowed down for Lucy. The chaos of the scene blurred at the edges, her focus narrowing in on the danger in front of her. This was it—what she had trained for. But the reality was much more terrifying than anything they had simulated at the academy.

"Stay here," Tim ordered, his voice cutting through her haze. "I'm going to try and talk them down."

Lucy nodded, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it. As she watched him approach the store with the kind of calm confidence she could only dream of having, she had to admit, despite how much he annoyed her, Tim knew what he was doing. He moved with purpose, every step calculated, his focus completely on the suspects.

"LAPD!" Tim's voice rang out, commanding but measured. "Put the guns down, and let's talk."

Lucy watched, holding her breath, as the suspects hesitated, glancing at each other. For a moment, she thought it might work. But then one of them swung his gun toward the door, toward Tim.

Her body moved before her brain could catch up. She drew her weapon and sprang from her hiding spot, ignoring everything Tim had just told her about staying back. She aimed, her hands shaking, her breath short, and—

"Chen, no!" Tim's shout startled her, but it was too late. She had already made herself known, and now both suspects were on high alert, their guns swinging wildly between her and Tim.

The situation had just gone from bad to worse.

Tim's eyes were on her, his expression furious. He was saying something, but the words didn't register. All Lucy could think about was the gun pointed at her chest, the gun she hadn't even noticed in her panic.

She froze.

For a split second, everything hung in the balance. And then, just as suddenly, it was over. Tim acted fast, moving with the precision of someone who had been in this situation more times than he could count. Before Lucy could process what was happening, he had disarmed the suspect closest to him, the gun clattering to the ground.

The second suspect, startled by the sudden movement, dropped his weapon too, his hands shooting up in surrender.

It was over. Just like that.

Lucy stood there, her heart still racing, trying to catch her breath. She had made a mistake—a big one. And she knew it. Tim turned to her, his face dark with barely contained anger, but for once, he didn't say anything. He didn't have to. His disappointment was written all over his face.

They secured the suspects and called for backup, but the entire time, Lucy felt the weight of Tim's unspoken judgment. She had acted on impulse, without thinking. She had put herself, Tim, and everyone else at risk.

Back at the precinct, after the paperwork was done and the suspects were booked, Tim finally turned to her, his voice low and cold.

"You don't get a second chance to make mistakes like that, Chen. Next time, someone could die."

Lucy didn't say anything. She couldn't. Because deep down, she knew he was right.

But what she couldn't shake, what kept gnawing at her as she sat alone in the locker room after their shift, was the realization that Tim wasn't just being an ass. He was protecting her. And she had almost gotten them both killed.

Maybe this was going to be harder than she thought.