Chapter Text
The sound of talking filled the conference room as several officers slipped into chairs right before Grey was due to walk in the room. Lucy made her way over to Celina and slid in between her and Aaron. The three started talking but the room quieted as Tim made his way up to the lectern with a clipboard in hand. A few bodies slipped into the room as he waited for the clock to turn, glancing at his watch for a few seconds before looking back up.
“Grey is out for today thanks to some bad Chinese. First mix up is Keller and Roman will take on the meet up with Vice regarding the Belmont investigation, your contact is Detective Constantine. Halloween Playdrive sign up is being posted tomorrow and we need a total of six officers. Please remember if you’ve served in the last five years, you are exempt no exceptions. Smitty is exempt forever following the scary story episode. The K9 position is still open and Officer Ragland has put in his retirement papers. Party is to be determined. Any questions?”
An officer in the back put up her hand. “Has the flyers for the Breast Cancer Run gone up, sir?”
“It’s on the professional portal. Same for the DV clothing drive.” He looked around, “anything else?” With silence, he nodded. “Stay safe out there.”
The room began to disperse and Tim moved to catch up with Aaron. “Yes sir?” The man asked as soon as Tim was close to him.
“I want you and Bishop together today.”
“Sure.” He looked around and saw the newest detective standing near the doors looking around at various officers. “You tell her?”
Tim waved his hand for Aaron to follow but not before tapping Lucy’s arm gently. She smiled and headed out of the room with Celina. “Bishop.” The woman walked over to him. “This is Aaron Thorsen, you’ll ride with him today since I’m acting Watch Commander.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Come on, we’ll collect our bags and weapons.” Aaron told her as Tim moved past them. “I’ll even let you tell some stories because I’ve heard you came up with Lopez and Bradford. That must have been a riot.”
They caught up to the supply room as everyone else was preparing to collect gear. Lucy found herself listening as Celina was telling her all about her mother coming over for dinner. The younger of the two women finally took a moment to breath and inquired about Lucy’s own evening. “Tell me everything.”
“Not much to tell. We picked up Tamara and went to that Italian bistro off La Brea.” Lucy signed the log as Celina checked the bags.
“Wait, the new one?”
Lucy nodded. “Their manicotti is amazing.”
“No joke, she’s serious.” Aaron commented to them. “Was like melt in your mouth.”
“Okay, I need to go there. How’s the prices?”
Lucy winced, “above a P1 for sure.”
“Don’t worry.” Aaron put a hand on Celina’s arm. “Me, you, and your mom this weekend.”
“Thank you.” Celina accepted the rifles handed over. “Why don’t you invite your mom too.”
Aaron’s look made Celina paused. “Your mother gets the whole not dating because of astrology. My mother would think it’s a precursor to an engagement.”
“We’re not doing that.” Celina pointed at him.
“Don’t forget trivia is this Saturday.” Lucy told them before sighing. “Never mind, we won’t be there. Tamara took Sunday so we’re taking Jack and Hope on Saturday.”
“Why is someone always taking those two. Can’t Angela and Wesley watch their own kids?”
Lucy shrugged, “guess we’ll find out in eight months why the desire to have friends watch your kids on the weekend exists.”
“I feel sorry for your kid.” Aaron stated, “between you being all sunshine incarnate and Tim being, well, Tim, this kid is going to have some type of complex.”
“Good thing I know about ninety percent of all psych conditions and the signs of them.” She told him and picked up the bags. “We can start therapy early.”
Celina smirked, “she has a point.”
“I still feel sorry for them. Do tell, does he want a boy?”
Lucy laughed, “oh I don’t think he cares, more focused on healthy.”
Aaron took the bags after signing the log. “Because I’ve seen him with Tamara, I feel sorry for any male that thinks he can date her. If it’s another, you can kiss ever having a son-in-law. Boy would be best for your own sanity.”
“He’s right.” Celina interjected. “However, point in his direction because we all know how much he loves you. He’d love a little girl just as much, if not more.”
Lucy nodded, “yeah but that was up to him and it’s a done deal.”
“First, gross.” Aaron pointed to her, “second, point made.”
Celina held out her fist and Aaron hit it. “See you after work, D&D?”
“Yes, my place or yours?”
“Mine, it’s clean since my mother just came over.”
“Then dinner is on me.”
Lucy grabbed Celina’s arm, “come on, time to patrol.”
Tim glanced up halfway through shift to see Angela in the doorway with a lunch bag in hand. He sighed knowing why the woman was there considering it was his lunch from the day before that he’d left and forgotten. Lucy had texted her and ask he be made to eat no doubt. It was a habit if he was taking over for Grey that his other half would give instructions to Angela or Harper.
“Lucy text you?”
“Yeah, how else would I know there was even food in the fridge for you.” She set the bag down on the desk and sat on the other side. “So, Talia called me last night.”
Tim opened the bag and found a hot container full of food inside. “She overstepped.”
“I agree but you didn’t have to be an ass about it.” She shrugged, “look, I get it. When it comes to Lucy, you’re overprotective to a certain degree.”
He set the container on the desk. “Nolan opened his mouth to her and then she dug where she shouldn’t have. I’m combating my own worry for my girlfriend and child on top of my job and now returned nightmares. I put my foot down, my family over my friends. Toe the line or lose it.”
“The nightmares returned?” A nod from Tim made her sigh, “fair enough. What are you going to do?”
Tim picked up the food container again and reached into the bag to pull out a fork he knew was inside. “Nothing. It’s already been handled. As long as she doesn’t do anything else, life can go on. I have her with Aaron today and barring my need per Pine, I’ll ride with her the rest of the week. Hopefully that can smooth some of it over.”
“You should take the K9 position. You’d still be under Pine but more regular hours and technically you’d still be on patrol.”
“I said the same thing to Lucy and she said we needed to figure things out before making changes.”
Angela smiled at him. “You happy about this baby?”
“Is it too soon? Yes. Am I happy? Yes. I just worry because Lucy and I haven’t even been dating a year and now we have a kid on the way. You and Wesley at least got that far.”
“That’s true but you guys are solid. I think that the fact you have been beside her since day one and equally in turn, she with you, is what makes things so great between you. I want you to think of what other cop couples have been through, even you and Isabel. There’s been issues and break down at various points. You and Lucy have the communication, the understanding of what the other is going through, and the knowledge you can get through anything with work. Besides, one thing that you guys have said from day one is no secrets and no lies. Granted there was that whole five-player-trade but you made it out of that disaster intact.”
Tim chuckled softly under his breath. “You’re right.”
“I know I am. You guys are going to make it and one day stories are going to be told about you.” She pointed at him, “mark my words, fifty years easily.”
“Grey did say we’re one of the only functioning cop couples he has.”
Angela started laughing, “please, you’re the only one he has. No other couple can work together and it be functional. I mean, even if Wesley was a cop, we’d never be able to ride together. Do you remember that whole situation with Arnev and Kowalski last year? We thought they were functional but they fought in the middle of a shootout. You guys took on all of Luke Moran’s crazy assassins and lived with some cuts and bruises. Those two would have been dead two seconds in.”
“Because we fight in sync.”
“Exactly.” She checked her watch. “Well my break is up.”
Tim smiled at his friend. “Thanks Ange.”
“Yep.” She left the office.
Evening came and finding themselves at home with Tamara, Lucy set about making dinner for the three while Tim quizzed Tamara on her upcoming exam. The teen looked five seconds from having a breakdown as she had to take a test on history and it was her worst subject. She excelled at STEM subjects but history and languages were her kryptonite. Lucy knew Tim was very patient, probably too patient, with her. He’d move on if she didn’t know it and usually it helped.
“I don’t know it.” Tamara finally stated and pulled her legs up, resting her lips against her bent knees. “I don’t.”
“Okay. We’ll stop tonight and let you study. The test isn’t until next week and we started early to figure out what you do and don’t know.” He reached over and closed the textbook. “Tamara, it’s not that big a deal.”
She nodded, “okay.”
“Hey, look at me.” She looked up, “usually you aren’t this stressed on a subject. What’s wrong?” A shrug made Tim lift her chin up with his forefinger. “What’s wrong?”
“My friends think it’s weird you guys help me study.”
Tim sighed, “what are their grades like?”
“Bad, sort of. Maria has straight As but her parents always put too much pressure on her. Lily and Micah make Cs and Ds, I don’t know how they’ll pass our classes.”
“Sounds to me like they’re jealous.” Lucy said from her spot at the counter. “You know, if we can help you learn, maybe you could help them.”
Tamara looked up at her. “They also said something else and I told them it wouldn’t happen, but they said I’m delusional.”
“What did they say?” Tim inquired softly as she let her legs fall, crossing them as her hand dropped in her lap.
“You’re going to make me move out to make room for the baby.”
Tim glanced at Lucy before looking at the girl beside him on the couch. “You know that’s not going to happen.”
“I know, but Micah, his dad made him move out when he and his stepmom got married. They think its weird I’m living with a couple that isn’t my family.”
“We’re not your family?” Tim glanced at Lucy, “she doesn’t think we’re her family.”
Lucy smiled, “you’re not getting rid of us.”
“You’re not.” Tim stated while pointing at Lucy, “you’re going to be living at home until you’re married.”
“No I won’t.”
He nodded, “you are. That’s just how it is with families. You’re living at home until you’re married, it’s decided. What’s your opinion, Baby?”
“Definitely.” Lucy told her, “and probably longer since Tim will make every boyfriend or girlfriend go on ride-alongs with him.”
“Stop!” She stated and found herself laughing with them.
The sound of knocking made Tim stand up but Lucy beat him. “Don’t hate me.”
“What did you do?” He made his way over to her.
“We’re going to work on your response to that statement.” She told him and opened the door, smiling as Bishop stood on the other side. “Hey, you made it.”
She nodded, “you asked me to come over.”
“I did, you’re invited for dinner.” Lucy took a step back and opened the door wider to let her in.
Tim glanced at Lucy, “what are you doing?”
“Inviting your friend over for dinner.” She made her way back to where she was in the kitchen to open the fridge. “Beer? Wine? Something different?”
“I’m fine, thanks.” The woman told her before pointing over her shoulder while looking at Tim. “What is going on with her?”
Tamara smirked, “you’ve been hit with sunshine bomb. Just going with it is your best bet.”
Tim gave her a nod, “is this why you bought the table?” His question was directed at his other half.
“Hey, I’m all for the table.” Tamara told them, “no more odd-person standing or eating in the living room.”
Lucy smiled, “four mouths to feed at two place settings is going to be tricky.”
“Alright.” He smiled at Talia, “come sit while Tamara helps Lucy.”
“But…” The teen groaned as she moved around the living room into the kitchen, “I hate cooking.”
Lucy chuckled, “you won’t learn how to make good food if you stick to frozen or ClipTalk recipes.”
“Studying history is easier than cooking and I hate studying history.” She started washing her hands at the sink.
“Hey.” Tim got her attention and pointed at her. “How old are you?”
“Nineteen.”
“Then act nineteen. Right now you’re acting more like Tyler does and he’s ten.”
Tamara nodded, “yes sir.”
Bishop gave him a look of impressiveness as he sat down beside her. “You sure she isn’t yours.”
“Genetically, not related. Unfortunately, Lucy likes to say we’re related via geographical osmosis. Don’t ask what it means because I don’t even know.”
“It just means I absorb traits due to being geographically close to you.” Tamara told him as she took over stirring a pot from Lucy at her direction.
Lucy grinned. “Very good.”
“It’s all science. Science I get, history not at all.”
Tim glanced at Bishop. “I get why you did what you did and as her former training officer I’m grateful. There was just a lot that happened after you left to both of us. Bonded us over some things, we became protective over others, but at the end of the day I appreciate you trying to look out for her. Just know I’d set fire to my own career before I let her suffer what Cox went through.”
Bishop waved her hand. “Cox put herself in that position by not saying ‘no’ to Mills. Mills was a P2, baby cop, and she said ‘yes’ to his offer when she had a responsibility to say no.”
“Yet Mills is a Sergeant and Cox is working in Sacramento in private security. At the end of the day, you’re right that females get the bad end of the deal when it should be the men who suffer equally, if not more so.”
“Excuse me?” Bishop moved closer, “did I just hear you right?” She glanced over at Lucy, “this all your doing?”
Lucy smiled as she closed the fridge from getting a pack of chicken out, “no, he’s always been progressive towards women and female rights. You just never asked his point of view before, plus the hardass persona gets in the way of people seeing it.”
“Huh, Angela and I used to rag on you a ton for something stupid you’d say. I come back and you’re spouting enlightenment like Buddha.”
“Okay that’s a bit far.”
Tamara hissed and sucked her thumb. “Why did I touch a hot pan? I don’t know why I did that.”
“At this rate you will be living with us till you’re thirty.” Lucy told her as she pointed to the counter. “Put the chicken in the pan while handle the stove.”
“Wash your hand first.” Bishop told her, “you just sucked your finger. Maybe they don’t mind your germs, but I don’t know you.”
When she looked at Tim, he shot the teen a look. “Why are you looking at me? Do you think I want your germs? I love you Tamara but I don’t love you that much.”
“Right, sink.” She turned and started washing her hands.
Bishop chuckled, “look at you, parenting a teen. I don’t know whether to laugh at you or pity you.”
“Both on a bad day.”
“You seen Isabel since the divorce?”
He nodded, “yeah, Lucy helped her with a case earlier in the year.”
“Hold on.” The woman shot the man an exasperated expression. “Your ex-wife and current girlfriend worked together on a case? And Lucy is still with you?”
“I turned off my mic and we talked shit about him.” Lucy told her and grinned. “She’s move on, he’s move on, we’re all good.”
Tim pointed at her over the couch. “You still aren’t telling me everything.”
“I’m not but there’s secrets between Isabel and I that don’t concern you in any context. That doesn’t fall under our rules.”
Bishop grinned, “so there are rules in this relationship.”
“No secrets…” Lucy started.
“And no lies.” Tim finished for her. “Well after that big one she thought she got away with.”
“I did until Primm got jealous and told you.”
Seeing his friend’s silent asking what Lucy was speaking about, he sighed. “I took the court liaison position to move out of her chain of command.”
“I thought you moved to Metro.”
He nodded, “I did, once she managed to get Smitty’s help in getting Fujii to retire and then a five-player-trade happened.”
Bishop looked straight at Lucy. “You conducted a five-player-trade as a P2?”
“I did.” She nodded as she poured sauce from the pot over the chicken in the pan. “He was miserable and it was to save him from himself. Made him mad an entire shift that I did it but we settled our differences.” She put the pan in the oven. “Dinner will be ready in fifteen.”
Tim chuckled, “she’s impossible to stay mad at. She’s like a puppy.”
“Hey! I’m the puppy.” Tamara looked between them with a look of betrayal. “Does this mean I’m no longer the puppy?”
“You are the puppy, I just meant that she’s too adorable to stay mad at.”
Tamara smiled, “good. I like being the puppy.”
Bishop started laughing and shook her head. “Tim Bradford, what the hell has happened to your life?”
“You figure it out please let me know.”