the rookie one shots

crashed pt.3

A week later, Lucy was finally cleared to be discharged from the hospital. Tim, still sporting a few bruises but cleared for light duty, insisted on picking her up. She protested at first, but deep down, she knew he wouldn’t let her leave without him there.

She was sitting in a wheelchair, her leg propped up in a cast, when she saw Tim walk into the hospital lobby. Despite his usual tough exterior, she saw something softer in his eyes when he spotted her.

“Chen,” he greeted, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. “Ready to get out of here?”

“More than ready,” she said, grinning. “I think I’ve seen every hospital TV show rerun at least three times.”

He smirked, taking the handles of the wheelchair and steering her toward the exit. “Well, consider this your official rescue.”

As they made their way to the parking lot, he stopped by his truck and helped her into the passenger seat, careful with her leg. She couldn’t help but notice how gentle he was, more so than she’d ever seen him. He seemed to feel the weight of her gaze and glanced over, shrugging a little awkwardly.

“Hey, you’re a pain to get rid of, Chen. Thought I’d make sure you actually got home this time,” he said with a smirk, but she could tell he was only half-joking.

Lucy rolled her eyes but gave him a soft smile. “Thanks, Tim.”

The ride back was quiet, a comfortable silence settling between them. She could feel Tim glancing her way every so often, his eyes lingering as if he needed to reassure himself that she was really there, safe and whole.

When they arrived at her apartment, Tim parked and hopped out, opening her door. As he helped her out, he paused, giving her an uncertain look. “You sure you’re okay to be on your own?”

She arched a brow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “You worried about me, Bradford?”

He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck, visibly uncomfortable. “I’m just…making sure. Last time, you didn’t exactly walk away unscathed.”

Touched by his concern, she reached out, resting her hand lightly on his arm. “I’m good, Tim. Really. You’ve done enough.”

He held her gaze for a beat, a thousand unspoken things passing between them. Then he gave a reluctant nod. “Alright, but I’m only a call away. Any time, got it?”

“Got it,” she said softly, knowing he meant every word.

As she hobbled toward her front door, she felt his presence lingering behind her, watching until she was safely inside. Once she settled on her couch, she looked around her quiet apartment, an emptiness filling the space.

After a moment of hesitation, she picked up her phone and sent him a quick message: *Thanks again for everything. I mean it.*

A few seconds later, her phone lit up with his reply: *Any time, Chen.*

She stared at the screen, feeling warmth flood her chest. It wasn’t just gratitude or relief—it was something deeper, a connection that had been forged and tested in the hardest of times. She knew, whatever lay ahead, Tim would be there. And that thought gave her a peace she hadn’t felt in a long time.