Thank you, for listening

Chapter 10 : Healing Touch

Lucy looked up from her notes as her last client for the day, Officer Johnson, shifted in his seat and gave her a faint, appreciative nod. He was a quiet man, hardened from years of working cases, but through their sessions, she had come to see the softer side beneath his tough exterior. Today, like so many days before, he had opened up just a little bit more, letting her glimpse the weight he carried in silence.

L:Same time next week, Officer Johnson?

OJ:Yeah, I'll be here. And... thank you, Dr. Chen.

With a soft wave, she watched him go, feeling a sense of quiet satisfaction. Therapy was often a slow process, each session chipping away bit by bit at walls built up over years. She knew that for someone in his line of work, sitting with his own pain, asking for help,it was a monumental step forward.

After finishing her notes and organizing her desk, Lucy took a breath, stretching her back. She glanced at her watch and realized it was nearly lunchtime. Her thoughts drifted to Tim. They'd been working around each other for weeks now, always meeting up by chance or stopping for a quick coffee together. The easy friendship they'd developed after her hospital stay was growing into something steadier, stronger. But there was also something else there, a thread of connection that sparked whenever their eyes met, whenever they shared those quiet, vulnerable moments together.

Making her way to the precinct break room, she was distracted by thoughts of their last conversation, remembering how he'd let down his guard, if only for a moment. But as she turned the corner, the sight of him by the coffee machine halted her steps.

Tim was there, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing. But today, he looked worn,more than just the usual exhaustion she sometimes saw. A fresh cut lined his brow, swollen and red, and a dark bruise was blooming on his cheekbone. He seemed to be lost in thought, his eyes dim as he stared at the coffee cup in his hand.

L:Tim... what happened?

He looked up at her, his usual calm demeanor slipping as a tired smile flickered across his face.

T:Got into a bit of a scuffle on a call. Nothing I couldn't handle. He tried to brush it off with a chuckle, but the exhaustion in his eyes gave him away.

L:That doesn't look like "nothing," Tim. Did anyone at the station at least tell you to go home and rest?

Tim hesitated before nodding, clearly unused to admitting when he needed a break.

T:Yeah. My supervisor told me to take the rest of the day off. I just... I don't know. I guess I didn't want to go home just yet.

The vulnerability in his tone tugged at her, and she felt a pang of empathy. Tim was the type to always take care of others, to be the strong one in every situation. But it was moments like this, moments when he was finally willing to show his own weariness, that reminded her how human he was, how much he gave of himself without ever asking for anything in return.

L:Come back up to my office with me. I have a first aid kit, and we need to take care of that cut.

Tim looked like he wanted to argue, but her determined gaze stopped him. With a quiet nod, he followed her up the stairs, his steps slower than usual. When they entered her office, she gestured for him to sit on the small couch.

L:Sit down, relax for a bit. I'll be gentle, I promise.

Tim let out a weary chuckle, running a hand over his face before sinking into the couch. Lucy moved to her cabinet, pulling out the first aid kit and selecting a few supplies. The room was silent except for the soft sounds of her preparing the antiseptic and bandages.

She knelt beside him, focusing on the cut above his brow. The sharp line ran just along the bone, likely painful, and she bit her lip in concentration as she dipped a cloth in antiseptic.