You deserve someone worth the effort

Prompt: Tim and Ashley broke up after his spinal surgery yet Chris and Lucy are still dating. 5x08 where Chris is looking for houses and Tim decides it’s time to have a conversation with his colleague… Please feel free to leave some feedback! you can also send me ideas :)

—

Today seemed like another day at the station. Tim arrived early as usual and got into his uniform, preparing himself for yet another busy day in Los Angeles. He met with Sergeant Grey for their daily briefing before heading to the roll call room to brief the other patrol officers. Everything is normal until now.

Well… that’s what he thought until he walked to the shop and met a rather distant Lucy. She seemed far away, lost in her thoughts which made him a bit suspicious. It caused him to now overthink too about the reason for Lucy's spiral. He walked closer to her and cleared his throat to signal his presence, seeing her snap out of her thoughts immediately.

“Ready to roll?” He asked after seeing that she had set the shop for them, watching her give him a small nod.

They both got into the car and began their patrol, doing some small talk before Lucy’s phone rang. Chris was FaceTiming her to show her a house for sale. He could not help but feel confusion as he heard the two talk. They both seemed on two very different pages. On one hand, Chris seemed excited about visiting potential houses to buy, and on the other, Lucy seemed much more reserved about the whole thing. Once they hung up, Tim glanced quickly over at Lucy, unable to shake away his confusion. “Are you and Chris moving together?” He asked after a few seconds of silence, feeling his heart tighten in his chest.  

“No, uh… It’s not…” Lucy mumbled, unable to get her words together. “Yet, he seems to think you are.” Tim said, almost cutting her off. He quickly looked over at her again, noticing how tense Lucy looked. That sight caused his heart to break a little. He hated to see Lucy upset. “Yeah, I mean, he kinda sprang it on me this morning…” Lucy added, playing with her fingers as an attempt to control the anxiety she felt in the moment. Tim nodded and after some silence, he let out a sigh. “You two are happy right? Those are the obvious next steps for you.” He asked but before Lucy could answer, they received a call about a few bombs placed around people’s necks and immediately went to deal with the situation. Tim realized they needed to have a conversation about her and Chris’ relationship but knew that now was not the moment. They had to focus on their jobs.

—

They controlled the situation along with other officers and were now headed back to the station. It felt rather tense in the car as they silently sat together in the shop until Lucy’s phone rang again. Chris called to check on Lucy as well as to let her know about a property he had heard off. Sensing Lucy’s discomfort, he intervened in order for her to get off the phone, receiving a kind smile from her as a thank you. “Lucy, look, if you don’t want to move, just tell Chris that.” Tim broke the silence between them, sensing that Lucy needed some help processing everything happening. “That's... The question is, why don't I want to move in? I don't get what the problem is. I mean, Chris is great. We're great together. We never fight.” Lucy said as she looked out the window, trying to clear her mind and put her thoughts all together. Tim found a place to park and stopped the car, looking over at Lucy. She looked surprised at his action but he knew that they both needed that conversation in the moment. 

“Lucy, maybe that’s the problem. But do you guys not fight because you don’t disagree on things or because you don’t think it’s worth the bother?” Tim asked and Lucy felt speechless, unable to answer his question in the moment — something that actually answered it perfectly. “Lucy, you deserve someone that’s worth the effort.” He added, a soft smile forming on his face. He meant every word. Lucy had been through hell and back ever since she became a police officer and he needed her to realize her worth. Lucy nodded at his words but stayed silent, trying to collect herself. But deep down, she knew that she had made her decision. She was scared. Of course she was. A relationship with Tim meant taking a risk that could change her life forever — for better or for worse depending on the outcome. Yet, he was worth the risk.

—

The next morning, Lucy found Tim in the Watch Commander’s office. He was replacing Sergeant Grey who was on vacation in New York with his wife to visit their daughter. She knocked on the door softly before walking in, still wearing her casual clothes as she was early for her shift. “Lucy?” Tim asked as he looked up at her, gesturing at her to close the door behind herself. He stood up and smiled at her, glad that the station was still empty at this hour.

Lucy walked closer to him and took a deep breath. “You were right yesterday about Chris and I. I was too scared to admit that we weren’t working out and felt guilty about what Rosalind did to him.” She began, looking up into Tim’s blue eyes, giving him a soft smile. “I broke up with him last night. You helped me realize that I needed better than Chris, someone who treats me right and makes me feel like the most important person on Earth.” Tim searched Lucy’s face as she spoke, feeling speechless. He could feel tension between the two, like electricity. He wanted to kiss her but knew that it wasn’t the right time. Before Lucy could add anything else, he smiled a bit wider. “Lucy, would you like to go get dinner tonight with me?” He asked.

“Yes, Tim, I do.” Lucy answered and let out a giggle, feeling like a teenager all over again. She glanced out of the office’s windows to make sure no one was watching before she kissed Tim’s cheek. “I guess I’ll see you tonight in the parking lot.” She said before walking out, leaving a blushing Tim behind. —

Years later, at their wedding, she would conclude her vows by saying: “Tim Bradford, you are worth the effort.”

That scene when Tim talks to Grey was so significant. In my opinion it was the most important scene of the episode. He had that conversation with Grey when he was with Rachel about transferring and Grey had told him if it was the right person it would be the right move. Then when he was in the hospital with him and Ashley was asking him to retire, he told him of the benefits if that is what he wanted. Now Grey knows how serious it is with Lucy because he sees what he is willing to give up for her. He reminds him that he isn’t going to like the job and that professionally it is not the right place for him. When he asks if it’s serious, it’s just a confirmation, he already knows because Tim is willing to give it all up for her. Grey should be the officiant at their wedding! ❤️❤️❤️

Now on to how I think things will go going forward. They put Tim into this position to bring in Chris. I kinda look forward to whatever awkwardness is coming there but a part of me doesn’t want Chris to figure it out that easily. I have a fic idea for this that I will probably post separately.

I’ve said this before, with this whole Elijah situation, they are opening up a position for Lucy to move into a Detective situation. We know she is going to be working with Nyla in future episodes. If she becomes a detective, Tim will be able to move back to patrol.

Lucy had a rough time since the end of her rookie year and she has been trying to find her place on the force and her personal life has been a mess. She has done the UC stuff and she is good at it but I think a part of it was that it was an escape from everything that was going on in her life. She sees what doing full blown UC did to Isabel and Nyla’s lives. We talk about the abuse Tim went through as a kid, but what Lucy’s parents did to her was a form of abuse as well. Pressuring your kid to do what you want and using your love as the reward is abuse. She wants to feel safe and accepted which I feel she finally has with Tim. She wants a future with him and the whole family thing. She won’t want to jeopardize that and she won’t want to put Tim in the position of worrying about her and worrying that what happened with Isabel could happen to her.

Tim and Lucy — Season 5 episode 12

“It’s done. Okay? No sense in arguing about it.” — “But we’re so good at arguing.” — “I know. But I’m hoping that we’re good at certain other things, as well.” — “Oh? Wanna find out right now?” — “Yeah.”

Nothing to see here JUST THESE TWO MAKING OUT!!!! Me and every other Chenford fan has been waiting for this to happen for FIVE WHOLE SEASONS!!!!! Now all we need is a scene of them being all cute and domestic together.. and a Chenford wedding… and babies! :D

Found a new show to obsess over! Binged it all in a few weeks and decided to do my first Chenford edit, so, here it is!

That hug in 4x01 had more sexual chemistry than either of their season four love interests and any scene they appeared in the whole season combined

i quite literally don’t think i’ve ever been so excited for an episode of tv in a WHILE. i have really high expectations for this episode and i most definitely should NOT 😁😁😁

#Pretends To Act Shocked

lucy always assuming her family is disappointed in her + tim being the only one who tells her otherwise

Chenford + We went from this: // To this: ❤️

Come here.

The Rookie

[inspired by], [quote].

Chenford + I can't be your aide anymore

Prompt: From a suggestion received. Tim and Lucy have been back from Las Vegas and everything has changed between them. After careful consideration, Lucy feels it’s best to spend time apart… In this fic, Tim and Lucy didn’t find Chris on the couch and hooked up. Thank you for the suggestion! I hope you like it

It had been a few days since coming back from Las Vegas and Lucy had gotten a few days off to recover from the operation. Yet, recovering is something she had not been able to do. All that she had in mind was Tim, especially what they did after he took her home. It felt magical, their bodies working so well together and so in sync… How could Lucy move on from what had happened?

Yet, she was still dating Chris, who did not know that she had returned from the operation. She had not been able to reach out to him, feeling guilty about everything that had happened the last few days. Kissing Tim was something she would not have to mention to him as it happened purely for the mission — or at least she liked to think of it that way. But the intimate night they spent together was another thing to admit to. She had cheated and now needed to break up with her boyfriend, something she should have done a long time ago. 

She slowly sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes before getting on her feet. Tamara had left earlier that morning for class and she actually appreciated having an empty apartment that morning. She got dressed as she tried to find a way to announce to Tim that she could not be his aide anymore. After everything that happened between them, it was better for them to spend time apart. Or was it? She was not sure about what she wanted, unsure about what to do. The only thing she was sure of was the need to break up with Chris. She did not want to see him. She called him instead before heading to work, feeling that a breakup over the phone was better than breaking up by text. 

After what seemed forever, she finally arrived at the station. She walked in and hurried to the locker room, trying her best to avoid being stopped by anyone on her way there. The last thing she needed was to be teased by Angela about that operation or making small talk with clueless Nolan. She opened her locker and changed into her uniform, tying her hair up before heading out. The first person she sees in the distance is Tim who is talking to Sergeant Grey. She stood there as she watched him, blushing a little as memories of their intimate night flashed in her brain before she quickly got back to reality. She had to do this. She had to take a step back. 

Once Grey walked away, she took a deep breath and headed towards Tim, her heart racing in her chest as she tried to anticipate what she would say. “Tim… You have a second?” She asked, her brown eyes meeting his blue eyes as she looked up at him. He had a small smile on her face, something rather rare for Tim Bradford. “Of course, I’m all ears.” He answered, resting his hands on his duty belt as he stood in front of her. Both of them were standing fairly close to one another, unable to maintain personal space. “I… I can’t be your aide anymore, Tim. I’m sorry… After everything that happened…” Lucy started before quickly looking around to make sure no one was listening to them. Tim’s eyes widened and opened his mouth to talk yet she cut him off, wanting to keep control of the situation. She knew that Tim could get her to second guess herself and she knew she had to stay firm on her position. “Aaron should take my spot, he will be amazing. Be safe out there, okay?” She quickly said before walking away, feeling tears get into her eyes. She had not waited for Tim’s answer yet she had seen how her words affected him before walking away. They had a far deeper conversation to have about what happened that night — well, that entire trip to be honest but she knew they could not have it in the precinct. She rushed to her shop, getting into it and let a few tears roll down her face before she went on patrol. She felt stupid for crying over not being Tim’s aide, yet she was scared about the future. Their future. 

—

When she got back to the station, she saw Tim and Aaron talking together as they finished their paperwork. Tim glanced over the garage door and saw Lucy, stopping his conversation with Aaron before walking towards her, wanting an explanation for what had happened in the morning. “Lucy…” He started, moving them to a more private part of the station. He let out a deep sigh before speaking, his eyes searching her face. “Do you want to tell me what made you take that decision?” Lucy made a face when she heard his question, unsure why he would even ask. Was their hookup not a good explanation? “Listen, after everything that happened in Vegas and in my apartment… I think it is best for me not to be your aide anymore because it wasn’t just biology, Tim.” She gave him a small smile as she referred to what she had told him in the hotel room. She had lied in the moment, knowing that it was not the right time to confess what she felt for Tim. She needed to tell him in a better environment, and more importantly, when Chris was out of the picture. She saw Tim’s eyes widen once again as he looked stunned. “Of course it wasn’t pretend, how could it be? I had been waiting for this moment for a long time and this operation was the perfect excuse to have what I wanted… And I want more, I want you.” She said, walking a little bit closer to Tim. As she looked up into his eyes, she could see what her words had done to him. She could see a faint blush spreading on his cheeks and she quite loved the sight. 

“What about Chris?” Tim suddenly asked, remembering Lucy's boyfriend. Lucy shook her head and smiled a bit wider. “I broke up with him. I haven’t seen him since I got back, I just couldn’t after what happened between us. But I called him this morning. I spent the last few days thinking and realized I was in this relationship because it was safe but it’s not what I want.”

Tim knew that this meant that more changes would come professionally speaking. He was in her line of command and that would have to change, yet none of that mattered for now. They were not officially dating yet, so they could play around the rules for a little longer. “How about we go get dinner?” He asked, loving to see Lucy’s smile getting even wider.

“Yes, I would love that,” Lucy answered and quickly headed to the locker room to get changed. They would eventually warn Grey about their relationship, but for now, they just wanted to enjoy their secret dating as much as they could. 

There is no way that Tim and Lucy went on that date, ended up in a police report that Grey would have had to read, and Grey doesn’t realize they were on a date. He has been working with them for how long now, he sees the way they interact, he’s seen how they react when the other is in danger, for peat sake, he was in the hospital with Tim and saw all that even. There is no way he would ask them into his office to ask them to talk to Celina and Aaron about their possible relationship when they haven’t been doing the heart eyes at each other like Tim and Lucy. Grey called them in, using Aaron and Celina as an excuse to discuss inter office relationships without calling them out to make sure that they think about it and talk about it. Just look at Grey there. He totally knows!

I also believe that Aaron does know. When he and Tim were hanging over the edge in the shop, he tells Tim to get out because Lucy will kill him if something happens to Tim. When Tim was trying to ask Aaron about Celina, I believe Aaron brought up those points to shut Tim up and to kind of be like ‘don’t be a hypocrite’. He and Tim don’t have that kind of relationship where they talk about personal things, but it seems Aaron and Lucy are getting close (maybe Aaron will be her new Jackson) so I don’t see him calling Tim out on it for Lucy’s sake. But maybe Tim will develop more of a friendship with Aaron if they keep riding together.

I also was kind of disappointed with the shop hanging off the edge scene. Besides Aaron saying Lucy would kill me if something happened to Tim, basically outing the fact that Aaron knows about their feelings, it was just anticlimactic. I was hoping for more drama from that.

That’s just some of my thoughts on this episode.

You— you are an incredible person. No. No, you're incredible, okay? You deserve so much better. That's why I'm walking away. Don’t do this. Why are you doing this? Why are you doing this? I’m sorry.

THE ROOKIE — 6.06 'Secrets and Lies'

It was worth the risk.

TIM BRADFORD & LUCY CHEN THE ROOKIE Season 6, Episode 2, "The Hammer"