What if the UC mission had ended well (Season 5, Episode 1)

Part 54

The kiss lingered, soft and unhurried, as if they were both content to let time stretch around them. When they finally pulled back, Tim rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed for a moment as he breathed her in.
Tim- You know, I don't think I'll ever get tired of this.
Lucy smiled, her fingers brushing through his hair.
Lucy- Of what? Me reminding you how amazing you are?
Tim chuckled, the sound low and warm.
Tim- That, and... just this. Being with you.
Lucy chuckled softly, her fingers still threading gently through his hair as she tilted her head back to look at him.
Lucy- Well, that's good, because you're officially, unofficially, stuck with me now. Even if you wanted to get rid of me—which, by the way, would be a terrible decision—you couldn't.
Tim raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Tim- Oh, is that right?
Lucy nodded confidently, her tone playful but laced with sincerity.
Lucy- Absolutely. I've decided. You're mine, Timothy Alexander Bradford Carter. No take-backs, no returns, and definitely no escape clauses.
Tim leaned back slightly, giving her a mock-serious look as he raised an eyebrow.
Tim- You know, I might actually consider returning you if you keep calling me by my full name.
Lucy gasped dramatically, her hand flying to her chest as if he'd just delivered a mortal wound.
Lucy- Excuse me?! Timothy Alexander Bradford Carter, you wouldn't dare!
Tim's lips twitched, fighting to suppress a grin.
Tim - Oh, I would. And don't think I won't.
Lucy narrowed her eyes, leaning closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper.
Lucy- You wouldn't last a day without me, and we both know it.
Tim laughed, shaking his head as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer.
Tim- Okay, fair point. But seriously, can we cool it with the full name thing? It sounds like I'm about to get grounded.
Lucy smirked, clearly enjoying the upper hand.
Lucy- Well, maybe you should behave, then. You're lucky I haven't tacked on "mister" for emphasis.
Tim groaned, his head falling back against the couch as he looked at her with exaggerated despair.
Tim- Oh, God, now you sound like my mom. This is worse than I thought.
Lucy dissolved into laughter, her head tilting back as the sound filled the room. Tim couldn't help but smile, watching her, the way her eyes sparkled and her shoulders shook. She was radiant, and he found himself marveling at how easily she could bring so much light into his life.
Tim- You're impossible.
Lucy leaned into him, her voice softer now, though her grin remained.
Lucy- And yet, here you are. Completely stuck with me.
Tim tightened his arm around her, his lips brushing her temple as he murmured.
Tim- Yeah. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Lucy leaned back just enough to meet Tim's gaze, her expression suddenly turning serious—too serious, considering the playful glint still visible in her eyes.
Lucy- You know, I've been thinking... maybe I should start calling you Timothy instead of Tim.
Her tone was calm, her face neutral, as if she were genuinely considering the idea. Tim blinked at her, his brows drawing together slightly.
Tim- Wait, what? Why would you do that?
Lucy shrugged, keeping her expression steady, though she could feel the corners of her mouth threatening to twitch into a smile.
Lucy- It's distinguished. Formal. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think? Timothy.
Tim sat up straighter, suddenly unsure if she was joking or if she actually meant it.
Tim- Lucy, don't. I mean it.
Lucy tilted her head, feigning innocence.
Lucy- Don't what, Timothy?
Tim groaned, his hand covering his face as he let out a laugh filled with equal parts exasperation and amusement.
Tim- This is my nightmare.
Lucy couldn't hold back her laughter any longer, the sound spilling out as she leaned into him, her shoulders shaking.
Lucy- Oh, come on, you should've seen your face! You looked so nervous, Tim. Or should I say Timothy?
Tim narrowed his eyes at her, his lips curving into a reluctant smile.
Tim- You're enjoying this way too much.
Lucy grinned, her eyes sparkling as she poked his chest lightly.
Tim reached out suddenly, gently but firmly grabbing Lucy's wrists and holding them in place against his chest. The movement startled her, and she let out a soft laugh that quickly died when she saw the mock-serious expression on his face.
Tim- You know, I pour my heart out to you, let myself be vulnerable for once, and this is what I get? You making fun of me?
Lucy bit her lip, trying not to smile, but her sparkling eyes gave her away.
Lucy- Oh, come on, you know I'm not actually making fun of you.
Tim raised an eyebrow, his tone dry.
Tim- "Timothy Alexander Bradford Carter" says otherwise.
Lucy's laugh bubbled up again, but she tried to school her features into something resembling remorse.
Lucy- Okay, okay, maybe I was having a little too much fun with that. But in my defense, you're adorable when you're flustered.
Tim sighed dramatically, shaking his head, though his lips twitched with amusement.
Tim- Adorable. Great. Just what every guy wants to hear.
Lucy leaned in closer, her grin widening as her voice softened to a teasing whisper.
Lucy- Admit it—you like it.
Tim's grip on her wrists loosened slightly, and he shook his head with a resigned chuckle.
Tim- What I like is that I can't win against you.
Lucy's laughter softened as she looked up at him, her expression warm.
Lucy- Well, you could win... but where's the fun in that?
Tim held her close, his arms wrapped around her waist as he brushed a soft kiss to the top of her head. For a moment, everything felt perfect—everything felt right. Lucy was here, with him, and the quiet intimacy between them filled the space in a way he'd never experienced before.
But his mind, as always, was racing. It was like it couldn't quite settle on anything, always moving from thought to thought like a tangled mess of wires. Tim let out a quiet breath and pulled back slightly, his hand lingering on her cheek as he met her gaze.
His heart was still racing, but not because of some rush of emotion or adrenaline. It was because of the growing realization that, for the first time in years, he didn't feel the need to protect himself. With Lucy, it felt... different.
She was different.
He stared into her eyes, watching her carefully, the way she always seemed to see right through him. And it hit him again—the thought that had been circling in his head for a while now—that Lucy wasn't just here. She wasn't just another person who was in his life. No, she was the one who understood him, maybe better than he understood himself.
And it terrified him.
It terrified him because, in every relationship he'd been in, the dynamic had been clear. The walls he'd built had been accepted. He had never had to let anyone in. But with Lucy, she was different—she wasn't content to leave things unspoken. She could see the cracks in his armor, and somehow, that only made him want to hide more and share things at the same time.
He didn't know how to be vulnerable, really vulnerable. Didn't know how to let someone in this much. The first time he'd let anyone close enough to see the real him, or at least tried to his dad got mad at him for being "such a girl". The second time it had ended in heartbreak. Divorce, after years of staying stuck in a place that didn't make sense anymore. With Rachel he skipped that part, and when he started to open up with Ashley, she broke up with him after he came out of surgery. Apparently her dreams were more important than his. He had never been told he was "cute," or "adorable," or—God forbid—soft by any of them. Women had always told him he was handsome, serious, strong. He was the guy they'd lean on, but never the one they'd need emotionally.
But Lucy? She was different.
Tim blinked, dragging himself back to the present moment. Lucy was still there, still holding his gaze, her expression soft and full of concern. His own thoughts, messy and tangled as they were, weren't helping him focus. So he did what he always did—he turned inward, closing down the part of him that was vulnerable, and focused on keeping the mask in place.
But it wasn't working this time.
Lucy's hand rested on his chest, right over his heart. It was warm, and it was like a physical reminder that she was here. That she cared. And the part of him that wanted to pull away—the part of him that didn't know how to feel—kept getting pushed aside by the steady thump of his heart. She made him feel.
Why is this so hard?
Tim glanced down at her hand and then back up to her eyes, searching for the words to explain the storm in his chest, but there were no words. He'd never been good at expressing himself like that. He had always been the tough one, the serious one, the one who took care of everyone else. But with her? She made him want to open up, even if he didn't know how.
When Lucy spoke again, her voice soft but firm, it snapped him back.
Lucy- Tim? Are you okay?
Her voice was calm, but the concern was there, and it made something inside him tighten. He felt like he was being pulled in two directions: one side wanting to tell her everything, to let her in the way she had let him into her world, and the other side telling him to shut it all down, to hold his ground. He didn't want to push her away, but the fear of letting her see too much of him... that was a harder wall to break.
Tim- Yeah?
He cleared his throat, trying to shake off the fog in his mind.
Tim- I'm fine. Just... thinking.
It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the whole truth either. He was thinking, sure—but his thoughts were tangled. Thoughts about how much he'd grown to rely on her, how much he wanted to tell her, and how much he feared he'd lose himself in the process. He couldn't lose himself. He had to be strong. He had to keep that distance.
But Lucy wasn't going to let that fly. She didn't have time for his walls. She didn't need him to be perfect; she needed him to be real.
Lucy- Thinking about what?
There it was again—the question he didn't have a solid answer to. He tried to smile, tried to brush it off, but the truth of it was too raw, too close.
Tim swallowed hard, the words sticking in his throat. He was trying to keep it light. Trying to keep her from knowing how much it was eating at him.
Tim- Just... how lucky I am to have you in my life.
It was honest, but it wasn't everything. He wasn't just lucky to have her; he was grateful. Anf yet, he was still scared that one day, she'd realize she could do better than the broken guy she had here.
Lucy studied him, and it didn't take a genius to see the hesitation in his eyes. She always saw through him. Always. That was part of what made her so different.
Lucy- You're thinking about something else, Tim.
Tim froze, his breath catching for a moment. He couldn't hide it. She knew him too well. But he wasn't ready.
Tim- It's nothing. Just... a lot on my mind. I'll figure it out.
Lucy didn't push. She just leaned in, her hand resting gently on his chest again, and for a moment, it felt like everything was okay.
Lucy- You know, you don't have to hide from me, right?
The words hit him harder than he expected. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a breath. Maybe he didn't have to hide. Maybe he didn't have to hold everything in anymore. Maybe it wasn't about being tough. Maybe it was about being vulnerable, really vulnerable.
But vulnerable was terrifying. It wasn't something he'd ever been good at.
Tim- I'm not hiding.
But his voice lacked the conviction it usually had. And that didn't go unnoticed.
Lucy- I think you are. I don't know what it is, but I can feel it. Whatever it is... you don't have to do it alone.
Tim's heart clenched at her words. He wanted to open up. He wanted to share what was in his chest, but the walls he had built up over years—decades, hell he's been building these walls his whole life— they weren't easy to tear down.
Instead of answering, Tim just held her a little tighter, burying his face in her hair. It was safer that way. Right?
Tim's gaze held Lucy's as her earlier words echoed in his mind. "You're enough, more than enough". She had said it so earnestly, with such conviction, but the weight of her words pressed against walls he wasn't ready to let down. It wasn't that he didn't want to believe her—it was that he couldn't. Not yet. Not when no one had ever said those things to him before.
His voice was low, almost hesitant, as he finally spoke.
Tim- You know, no one's ever said anything like that to me before. You know, that im "cute" or just nice, caring, maybe loving.
Lucy blinked, her eyes softening, her hand moving instinctively to rest over his heart.
Lucy- No one? Not once?
Tim shook his head, his jaw tightening as he let out a humorless laugh.
Tim- I've been called a lot of things. Strong, tough, dependable. But... never that. Never the stuff you've said.
Lucy's expression shifted, a mix of sadness and something fierce. She knew Tim had been through a lot, but hearing him admit that no one had ever taken the time to see all of him—the good and the bad—and affirm his worth made her chest ache.
She leaned closer, her fingers curling gently into his shirt.
Lucy- Then let me say it again.
Her voice was steady, resolute, but her eyes shone with tenderness.
Lucy- Tim, you are enough. You're more than enough. And I am so sorry no one ever told you that before. They should have. But I'm glad I get to be the first, and I'll keep saying it—over and over—until we have a mini version of either you or me that tells you how much they love you, until we're old and grey, until you believe it.
Tim felt the air leave his lungs at her words. He wanted to say something, to push back, to tell her that she didn't have to, that maybe she was wrong about him. But her tone, her expression, the warmth in her eyes—it all held him in place, unable to argue.
Lucy smiled softly, tilting her head as she continued.
Lucy- And just so we're clear, I don't just love the good sides of you. I've seen it all, Tim—the good, the bad, and the annoying. And yes, sometimes you drive me crazy—
Her teasing tone earned a faint smirk from him, though his eyes still carried that wary disbelief.
Lucy- But even when you're being stubborn or grumpy or impossible, I love you. I love all of you. Even if you can make me want to yell sometimes. And you know why?
Tim arched an eyebrow, his lips twitching upward despite the weight in his chest.
Tim- Why?
Lucy- Because, first of all its you. I can't be mad at you and then, you always have that look on your face. When you know that I'm mad or whatever and you're sorry. I'd say it's almost the same look a toddles has on its face, when they've done something they know they're not supposed to, but they are to cute to be mad.
She grinned, tapping his cheek lightly with her finger.
Lucy- The one that makes it impossible for me to stay mad at you. Even when I really want to.
Tim huffed a soft laugh, shaking his head.
Tim- Well, that doesn't sound really fair.
Lucy- Oh, it's completely unfair. And you know what's even more unfair?
Tim leaned back slightly, his eyebrow raising in question.
Lucy- You have no idea how incredible you are. You don't see it. But I do. Every day.
Her voice softened as she placed her hand over his cheek, her thumb brushing against the stubble there.
Lucy- You've let me see parts of you that I know you don't show anyone else. You've trusted me with things that I know aren't easy for you to share. And I don't take that for granted, Tim. I love you for all of it—every messy, complicated, wonderful part of you.
Tim's throat felt tight again, and he looked away for a moment, unsure how to process the depth of what she was saying. It was overwhelming, hearing her talk about him like this, seeing how much she cared.
Lucy tilted her head, trying to catch his gaze.
Lucy- Hey. Look at me.
He did, his eyes meeting hers, and she gave him a small, reassuring smile.
Lucy- I'm not saying this because I feel like I have to, or because I want you to feel better. I'm saying it because it's the truth. You're not just strong or tough or dependable. You're thoughtful, kind, and, yes, sometimes a little annoying—but in the best way.
Tim let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.
Tim- You're relentless, you know that?
Lucy- Mm-hmm.
Her grin widened as she leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to his lips before adding with a playful edge:
Lucy- And you're still stuck with me, so get used to it.
Tim stared at her for a moment, his expression softening. He still wasn't sure he believed everything she'd said, but for the first time, he thought maybe it was worth trying to.
Instead of responding, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close as he pressed his lips to her temple.
Tim- You make it really hard to argue, you know that?
Lucy- Good. Because I'm not going to stop.
Tim closed his eyes, letting her warmth seep into him. He didn't have the words to tell her how much it meant to him, but maybe that was okay. Lucy seemed to know anyway.
Tim held Lucy close, her warmth and words grounding him in a way he hadn't realized he needed. The vulnerability she offered, her unwavering affection—it was almost too much, but not in a bad way. It was just... more than he thought he deserved.
As the silence stretched between them, Tim's mind whirred, trying to come up with something to say, something that could even begin to match what she'd just given him. But every time he tried to form the words, they caught in his throat.
She'd said she loved him—the good, the bad, the annoying. She'd said he was enough, more than enough. And somehow, she'd made him believe, even for just a moment, that maybe she was right.
Finally, he pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. His hand came up to cradle her face, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek. She looked at him with so much trust, so much patience, that it made his chest ache.
Tim: I...
He faltered, his voice low and rough with emotion. He looked away for a split second, gathering himself, before meeting her gaze again.
Tim- Thank you.
It wasn't enough. Not by a long shot. But it was the only thing he could get out.
Lucy's smile softened, her hand coming up to cover his where it rested on her cheek.
Lucy- You don't have to thank me, Tim.
But he shook his head slightly, his fingers curling just a little against her skin.
Tim- I do. For saying all that. For... seeing me. For loving me. I don't... I don't know if I'll ever be good at this. At believing it. But you make me want to try.
Lucy's eyes shimmered, her smile growing. She leaned into his hand, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucy- That's all I need. Just try.
He nodded, his throat still tight, but he managed a small smile. His other hand slipped around her waist, pulling her closer, and he rested his forehead against hers for a moment, letting the silence say what he couldn't.
Finally, he pulled back just enough to look at her, his eyes soft but serious.
Tim- I love you.
The words came out steady this time, firm and sure, even though his heart raced in his chest. He'd said it before, but this time it felt different—deeper, rawer, like he was baring more of himself than ever.
Lucy's smile widened, and she leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.
Lucy- And I love you.
When she pulled back, her grin turned playful again, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Lucy- Even if you do drive me nuts sometimes.
Tim chuckled, the tension in his chest easing as he shook his head.
Tim- Yeah, well, the feeling's mutual.
Lucy chuckled, tilting her head as she looked up at him with an amused glint in her eyes.
Lucy- Am I really that bad?
Tim smirked, his lips tugging into a crooked grin as he raised an eyebrow.
Tim- Do you really want me to answer that?
Lucy gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest as if he'd just delivered the most scandalous insult.
Lucy- I can't believe you'd say that to me!
Tim smirked, amused by her theatrics, but he leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper.
Tim- Oh, you want the truth, don't you?
Lucy crossed her arms, looking up at him with mock defiance.
Lucy- I'm tough. I can handle it.
Tim- Alright then. Let's see... You're stubborn. You think you're always right, what, might be true, but you could let me have the win occasionally.
She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by his list.
Lucy- Uh-huh. And?
Tim chuckled, stepping back slightly, enjoying the playful challenge.
Tim- You steal the covers at night, and then look at me like I'm the one hogging them.
Lucy gasped again, this time more dramatically than before, clutching her chest.
Lucy- How dare you! That was one time!
Tim raised an eyebrow.
Tim- One time? It's every night, Luce. Every. Single. Night.
Lucy grinned, but she couldn't help but laugh at his exaggerated expression.
Lucy- Okay, okay. Maybe I'm a little guilty of that, but you're no saint either. You leave your socks everywhere.
Tim looked at her, feigning innocence.
Tim- I do not.
Lucy crossed her arms, giving him an unimpressed look.
Lucy- You do. The living room? Bedroom? The kitchen? I'm practically running an impromptu sock collection service.
Tim laughed, shaking his head.
Tim- That's Kojo. I might have left the door open a few times. But that's nothing compared to your... obsession with leaving empty coffee cups everywhere.
Lucy's eyes widened.
Lucy- What? I do not!
Tim nodded seriously.
Tim- Oh, you do. On every surface in this place. And you just look at me like I'm supposed to be the one who remembers to take them to the sink.
She narrowed her eyes, her lips twitching into a grin.
Lucy- Are we going to make a list now? Because if we are, I'm going to point out that you eat all the snacks and leave me with nothing!
Tim- Well. I was hungry! Plus it was only one time.
Lucy- Uh-huh, sure.
They both laughed, and for a moment, it felt like the weight of everything else—everything he'd been struggling with—vanished, replaced by the ease of being with her. No walls, no doubts. Just... her.
Tim- I swear, you're impossible.
Lucy- I'm endearing, and you know it.
Tim shook his head, though his smile lingered.
Tim- Yeah, yeah. Endearing. That's what you keep telling yourself.
She reached up, tapping his nose with a playful grin.
Lucy- It's true. You're lucky I love you, Mr. Grumpy Socks.
Tim leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. When he pulled back, his voice softened, a quiet tenderness in his tone.
Tim- You drive me nuts too, you know that?
Lucy smiled up at him, her hand resting on his chest.
Lucy- Good. Keeps things interesting.
Tim- It does.