Chenford Oneshots

You could've been killed

Lucy had just finished debriefing, the adrenaline still pulsing in her veins. She'd spent hours undercover with a dangerous gang, gathering intel. It hadn't been easy, but she'd pulled through. But as she stepped out, Tim was waiting in the hallway, his expression unreadable.

Lopez, Harper, Grey, Bradford, and Chen stood in the hall, a debriefing of the UC mission. Lucy was focused mainly on the words of Harper. The moment they were alone, Tim let loose. "You could've been killed, Lucy!" His voice was louder than he intended, raw with worry.

Lucy stared at him, her own emotions flaring. "I had a plan, Tim. I was safe."

"Safe?" He scoffed, the word tasting bitter. "You went in there without backup! Do you have any idea how easily things could've gone wrong?" She clenched her jaw, meeting his gaze with equal intensity. "Tim, I was doing my job. You know that better than anyone."

"Yeah, but I wouldn't walk into a situation like that without backup!" His frustration was evident, mingling with something deeper that he didn't know how to express. Lucy's eyes narrowed, anger flashing. "So, you don't trust me to make my own calls?" Tim fell silent, realising too late how his words might have sounded. But the moment passed, and without another word, Lucy turned and walked away, leaving him with the unspoken accusation hanging in the air.

The next day, their relationship remained strained. At work, Tim hovered around her, attempting to keep an eye on her, which only made the rift wider. Lucy noticed him watching her every move, and each glance felt like a reminder that he didn't believe in her.

Angela caught on quickly. During a lunch break, she nudged Lucy. "What's going on with you two? I can feel the tension from a mile away." Lucy looked down at her hands, trying to gather her thoughts. "He doesn't trust me to handle things on my own." Angela raised an eyebrow, her tone understanding yet probing. "What do you mean?" Lucy sighed, frustration bubbling up. "He treats me like I'm going to break, like I need him hovering over me to keep me safe. It's like he doesn't think I'm capable."

Angela leaned back, studying Lucy with concern. "And how does that make you feel?"

"Like I'm less than him," Lucy admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I've worked hard to get where I am, and I thought he respected that. But it's like... he only sees me as someone to protect."

Angela nodded slowly, her gaze steady. "You know Tim's been through a lot. He's lost people close to him, and I'm guessing his protectiveness is coming from a place of fear." Lucy clenched her jaw, looking away. "I get that. But at the same time, I need him to trust me. I can't be his equal if he sees me as a risk he has to manage." Angela placed a reassuring hand on Lucy's shoulder. "Have you told him that? Guys like Tim... they need it spelled out. He's not trying to hurt you—he just needs to understand that trust isn't only about keeping you safe; it's about believing in your strength. And he loves you, anyone can see that." Lucy nodded, feeling a bit lighter. Angela's words had struck a chord, helping her see a way through the hurt. "You're right. I just... I need him to see that I can be strong on my own, and that his trust means more than his protection."

Later that day, after their shift, Lucy found Tim alone in the precinct's parking lot, sitting in his car. She tapped on his window, and he looked up, surprised but relieved to see her.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "We need to talk." Tim nodded, getting out and leaning against his car, bracing himself. "Tim," Lucy began, her voice gentle but firm, "I understand that you want to protect me. But I need you to trust me to make my own calls. When you act like I can't handle things, it feels like you don't see me as an equal." Tim's face softened, guilt and understanding crossing his expression. "Lucy, I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you feel that way. It's just... I've lost people, and the thought of something happening to you is... terrifying." She stepped closer, reaching for his hand. "I get that, but if we're going to make this work, you have to believe in me. Protecting me is one thing, but trusting me is another." He squeezed her hand, nodding slowly. "You're right. I need to work on that. I don't want to hold you back—I just need to figure out how to stop letting fear run my life." They stood there for a moment, the weight of their words hanging in the air. The night was quiet around them, and in that stillness, Tim's heart raced as he looked into Lucy's eyes, his emotions raw and exposed. "Lucy," he said softly, "I love you. I never want you to think otherwise." Her breath caught, and a small smile broke through her earlier frustration. "I love you too, Tim. But I need you to show that love by believing in me." Tim nodded, a sense of clarity washing over him. "I promise I will. I don't want to be the one who makes you feel small or trapped. You're my partner in every sense, and I want to be better." She smiled, and he felt a warmth spread through him, relief mingling with gratitude. They had weathered this storm together, and now, standing in the parking lot with their hands intertwined, they both felt a renewed connection. As they pulled each other into an embrace, Lucy whispered, "We're stronger together. Just remember that."

Tim held her tight, feeling the tension of the past few days dissolve. In that moment, he realized that their love was built on trust, and with that understanding, they could face anything together.