#the rookie 5x13 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bronx-bomber87 · 3 months

Text

Happy Monday Fandom :) This episode is all kinds of cute. I love it so much. We get to see the depth of what Lucy would do for Tim. After he just showed up what he’d do for her in 5x12. It’s so good. Let us get started.

5x13 Daddy Cop

We start with Lucy in roll call. I would like to point out Lucy picking a spot in the back of the room. She’s never once done that before. Doing it so she can check in on her husband. Lucy is somewhat subtle about it. But she can’t help but check on him. Knowing the bullet he took for them. She literally can’t help but look back on her man. Such lingering glances too. *heart clutch.* You can see in the second one he’s looking back at her too. How can these two kill me so much with such subtle glances? Damnit I love them so much.

Lucy could not be cuter running up to see Tim before her shift. Physically turning his chair around. He couldn’t be happier to see her. First time we’ve seen him light up today. You guys are so loud and I love it. Little work flirt before her shift. Lucy saying looks like he has a lot to uh....Liaise LOL Tim straight lying to his person like he thinks he can get away with that nonsense. Lucy replying she thought they would never lie to each other.

Tim shooting back 'That was a lie.' Lmao I’m dying their banter on point as usual. The sassy face she gives him. Be more married you two please. Love these idiots in love. Lucy can’t stand it and says he’s miserable. Tim with a very unconvincing ‘No…’ Lucy isn’t buying what you’re selling....Babe your girlfriend sees right through you. Always has. She has the book of Tim locked away in her head.

Tim trying to convince her it’s not that bad. 'Nice people…Low stress….'The more you speak the more she knows you’re dying Tim. A subtle cry for help. Or not so subtle really lol He doesn’t regret doing this for her at all. But she can’t stand him doing this when he’s so clearly miserable. Lucy knows this man. He will suffer in silence if it makes her happy and they get to be together. A decision I know he would make again. Because she is his person also as we saw last ep his blindspot. So he would do anything even at his own detriment.

Her big friggin dork of a man giving her a thumbs up and telling her to 'Be safe out there.' LMAO I love this man so much. Dork Tim has been activated. She loves this goober in front of her nonetheless. Lucy’s cute head tilt knowing he’s putting on an act for her. Then he lights up like a Christmas tree saying he’ll see her at the end of shift. He can’t wait because he has someone to go home to now and I love this.

The most genuine he is the entire scene. Knowing he will get to see her end of shift. The best part of his day will be seeing her and I love that. It’s written all over his beautiful face. Lucy however isn’t smiling as she walks away. Knowing this job is making him miserable and she can’t stand it. His intentions being the best and purest. But also knowing she needs to fix this for him somehow. She just doesn’t know how just yet…

Lucy sees Metro piling in and immediately thinks of her man. How well he would do there. How good he would fit in. I just adore her conferring with Harper one this. Also her spending the entire episode trying to find him a better position. Earlier in the episode they had a convo about a 5 player trade. Trying to create an opening so one could open up for Tim.

Metro has now become a potential option for Tim. She wants to start her trade. Harper warns her this could come with consequences. For her and Tim. To Lucy that’s worth it though. Tim blocked her making a sacrifice in 5x12. He is WORTH the risk of her ruffling some feathers to get him a better position. Never be over them consistently doing whatever for each other. Makes my soul happy.

So much to love about this next scene. I adore Lucy seizing the opportunity to solve Tim’s job problem with the group. They’re all gonna be at Nolan’s anyways... Might as well be one giant brain to save her man from his desk job. Super brains assemble and you know Nolan lol Their sticky note game is strong as they try to figure out an opening. Just as they crack it Tim shows up at the door.

John says his name loudly so they all hear him. Which causes them all to scramble to disassemble their brain storm session. So funny to watch them get the post it’s down as fast as they can. Then trying to get back to their seats as John does horribly at stalling Tim. I mean it's so horrible and awkward. Tim's face when Nolan is speaking is too funny. Wondering if he made a mistake in coming over here... LOL

I love him pointing out Lucy’s car and no one else’s. Could care less there are other cars out there. He points out his girl's car only and asks about it. This makes me giddy on so many levels. The minute he enters the room they could not be more obvious. The looks say everything. Also all these scenes just hit differently knowing they’re together. Makes me so happy. Look at Lucy above she couldn't be more obvious if she tried. You're a UC Lucy you can do better LMAO Being under pressure is the name of the name and you fall like a cheap house of cards here haha. It's too cute though especially with her little eyebrow pump.

Let’s not gloss over how delicious Tim looks in this scene. I always love me some street clothes Tim. But hot damn that tight t-shirt and those jeans. His hands in his pockets showing off those biceps.*fans self* Angela’s face when he talks to Lucy I’m dying. If she didn't know at this point she sure did now. Look at her in that first gif. So telling it's hysterical. Tim sensing something is off but he isn't sure why. Like did you think your man wouldn’t notice this?

So he zero's in on his girl and asks if she's ok? Not anyone else in the room just her. I LOVE how softly he asks if she’s ok? Looking right at her. Tim lights up when he speaks to her. Which gives me all the feels. His Lucy demeanor on full display in this scene. Seriously be more obvious you two. Lucy looking smug as hell and trying to keep it under wraps. Angela continues to crack me up with her expressions. Angela Lopez you are a treasure.

Lucy comes to Smitty he is the final piece in this 5 player trade of hers. They figured out how to get it done but he is sadly an essential piece. Lucy goes into this scene prepped and ready to go because well it's Lucy. This scene is hilarious because Smitty already knows the plan if Fuji retires. Flooring Lucy completely. I commend Melissa and her facial expression here it’s so funny. She gets Smitty to agree to help her in getting his friend to retire. He wants a favor though. Lucy immediately says 'Nothing weird.' LMFAO. Oh the things we do for love.

Tim eagerly comes to find Lucy end of shift. He’s so excited he’s going to come out of his skin. He heard about Lauren Fuji retiring. He's so excited as he explains this all to her. Look at that man. Bursting with joy to share this news with her. I love the pre-excitement on her face as he speaks. Saying she doesn't know how he keeps its all straight. Well played Lucy hehe

I adore him running to his person the moment he has news for her. Lucy is his safe place. One he goes to for all things good and bad. What I love most about this is Tim allowing himself to be this excited and keyed up around her. The man is glowing most of this conversation. Not holding back one emotion from her. Being as genuine as we’ve ever seen him. It does my heart good to watch him thrive in this relationship with her.

I’ll probably say this multiple times in this season. But this is what it looks like to be truly and unconditionally loved. The background this man came from, the relationships he had before her. It's hard to express emotions when they're always suppressed like his have been in the past. It's a joy to watch him like this. He's never experienced what he's had with her before. We’re watching this new Tim come out and it glorious to watch unfold. To see what it looks like when he properly loved on. To be put first and built up.

We watch as Tim tells her his tale. Explaining what all this means. Getting more excited by the minute. The way he leans into her as he tells her everything. Lucy pretending she doesn't know any of this. Playing dumb about it all and damn well at that. He has no idea. Lucy acting like this is all "new" to her. Tim getting all amped up letting her know there's an opening in Metro now. Well that there was.... Alluding to his reply down below.

What is getting her all smiley and excited is his excitement in this moment. It’s infectious and she is beaming with happiness for him. Knowing all the effort she put in was so worth it to get this reaction. She knew he would be a good fit and this proved it. He is BEAMING with excitement when he tells her he got the Metro Job. No one else he would rather share this with. This whole relationship is such a good look on him it’s insane.

Lucy's affectionate hit is everything. He loves it and is it's only adding to his already insane amount of excitement. All his other work achievements she had to regulate herself. Now she can fully be herself and be excited for him. Hence this cute reaction of hers. Loud and proud wifey right here. She is so damn excited and proud of him. No one has been a bigger cheerleader for this man than her. it’s only amplified now that they’re together.

Tim tells her he got a rock star review from Grey. Then we get some massive heart eyes from Lucy. Look at her above. If you wanted to see what being in love look it's her expression. What I love about this is Lucy getting to tell him he’s amazing. To his face. For years she’s told everyone around her about this amazing man. Gushed about him. This is the first we get to see her say it to his face. For him to hear her say it. Not only that but to hear it with so much love, pride, and affection in her voice. Love in her eyes for him. *squee* Building him up once again in a way only Lucy can. This is so precious I cannot.

Tim is feeding off her positivity and love. That nose crinkle might be the death of me. He’s SOOO amped and being this excited in front of his girl has me feeling things. He is so bright and happy it’s making me a puddle of giddy goo. Lucy brought this man back to life in so many ways. She is bringing out this new side of him and I’m so here for it. I’m so giddy for him and Lucy is feeding off it as well. I continually ask. Have we ever seen this man this excited? This happy?

We can thank that beautiful powerhouse standing in front of him. All he wants to do now is go out and celebrate with his girl. Which is massive growth btw. He’s not one to be excited outwardly about promotions or awards. But this is post-in love with Lucy Tim Bradford. He is bouncing off the walls he’s so excited. He gets to have his cake and eat it too. See his person every day and have a new exciting position. Love this first thought being he wants to celebrate with her. This man has changed and grown so much. It's glorious to behold. Truly.

Lucy wants to go out and celebrate with him so badly. If it was up to her they would leave that station right now and do that. Sadly her favor still needs to be cashed in…I love his little puppy face when she says she can't. He wasn't expecting to be spending tonight without her and it shows. All over his handsome face. You can see it's killing her to say no to him right now. But sadly Smitty and his favor can not wait. Even if she doesn't know what the hell it is yet LOL

I adore him immediately asking if she needs any help? I love this man so very much. Such a soft puppy for her. Only ever see him like this with her. He is thinking they may going out but least he can be with and help her with whatever this favor is. Ever the sweet supportive boyfriend and I love it sfm. Man really would do whatever for that woman in front of him. They could watch paint dry and Tim would be in cause he would be with her. Lucy tells him it’s something she has to do solo.

Lucy follows up she wants to celebrate him tomorrow. I love her saying celebrate 'You.' Not his job but to celebrate YOU. Look at this man above as she says this. He is legit basking in her praise, excitement, and love right now. What I really love is as she continues to congratulate him he leans closer to her. Looks like he wants to kiss her. Once again forgetting they’re in the bullpen. Their magnetic pull activating in the final moments of this scene.

Lucy saying her line above with so much love and affection. Her words having an effect on him. It shows in this next mini moment. We can see him grab her hands and pull her towards him gently in that second gif. The amount of squeeing I'm doing. Tim friggin Bradford grabbing for her girl. Pulling her closer at work out of instinct. In the bullpen of all places. Not caring they are in public. He is high off her excitement and this new job. Looks like he just wants to kiss her in this moment. Pick her up and spin her around he’s so happy.

She has to break the spell sadly. Remembering they are at work and she has to go do her favor.. but not before telling him 'Good job!' Look at this man's face as she departs. That’s a ‘I’m going to marry that woman someday.’ face. He is glowing with love and it makes me so happy to see him loved right. He is a different man since they got together. He is exuding so much love for her and pure joy. Just looking and being happier in general since 5x10.

Gah Eric killing me softly good sir. Happiness looks SOOO good on you my love. He’s earned every ounce of what he’s getting from Lucy. Just love this character so much. To finally see him be treated right getting me all in my feels. Best girlfriend ever and he has no idea what’s she done for him. She didn’t want credit. She just wanted him to be happy at work. Once again putting that beautiful man first.

I saw someone posted watching this scene was like ship crack cocaine lmao it’s so accurate I can’t haha. I’m getting high off their happiness in this scene. Tim is bouncing off the walls and Lucy is absorbing it all. The only payment she needed was knowing he was happy. Ugh they’re so cute I love it sfm. I’m so gone for these two. I haven’t loved a ship like this in a long time. I knew when I started this show they were going to be something special. Proven me right so many times over. This season truly is a gift.

We see what the favor is. Smitty wants her to deep clean his RV. Says he hasn’t in years. Telling Lucy since the Bush administration. Lucy’s eyes bulge out. Asking 'Which Bush?' LMFAO. She finds out she’s doing it solo. We then get this great shot of her in a hazmat suit. Chemicals and cleaning supplies at the ready. Knowing it won’t be great. Her ‘Oh dear god.’ Hahaha things we do for the ones we love. Her cleaning his nasty as RV so her man could be happy ❤️❤️

~~~~

Side notes-non Chenford

I love the Cold Open for this one. Daddy Cop is hilarious. If this didn’t get stuck in your head you're lying lmao

I loved Tim helping Celina out with her mom. Also what is about this man saying Spanish words with that inflection that gets me every time? Ovary explosion for me. When her says Celina’s mom’s birds names. Lorca and Neruda does it with inflection and I’m a damn puddle.

Also her asking if she single LMFAO He very is not Mrs. Juarez haha Also the way he says Juarez does thing to me lmao I have no shame in how i feel haha

61 notes · View notes

cfr749 · 1 month

Note

What’s your opinion on the Valentine’s Day storyline? specifically Tim being upset with Lucy and just how it was written in general?

Hi anon!

Thanks for the ask! I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you!

So I will admit my feelings have evolved a bit on this particular storyline especially in context of season 6 (which I am enjoying so far).

I'll start with my thoughts on the whole five-player-trade thing since those storylines were so intermingled (and apparently that whole thing is going to be the gift that keeps on giving 😂).

Side note: I still wish they would have just dealt with the repercussions of the whole TO/Rookie superior/subordinate thing directly instead of inventing all this sorcery when they could have just acknowledged the inherent misogyny and sexism they've already admitted exists.

We still could have had the cuteness of the group scene and all the plotting to find an opening for Tim without making Lucy out to be a manipulator.

But for whatever reason, they really didn't seem comfortable dealing with the power dynamic issues and repercussions head on, so now I guess we get to see Aaron try to date his therapist instead 😂😬

But at least it seems like they are trying to fix their framing this season by making it clear to the audience that Lucy is the one being wronged, so that's a good thing in my book even though it's hard to see her struggle.

So, after all that, you will be shocked to hear that I wasn't a huge fan of Lucy's choice to do the five-player-trade thing 😂.

I do understand why Tim was upset with her. I think doing what she did behind his back was a problem. Don't get me wrong, though -- they both failed majorly at adult communication 101 here.

Tim should have talked to her before he made the decision to switch positions. Had they discussed it, I don't think Lucy would have felt the same level of responsibility and pressure that she did to make sure Tim wouldn't be stuck in a role he hated. Mostly because she never would have agreed to him taking a desk position and they would have had to work together to come up with another solution. From there, the story could have unfolded very differently.

Tim made a choice behind her back that impacted their relationship, but only his career. Lucy went behind Tim's back and made a choice that ultimately impacted both of their careers.

But, at the end of the day, Tim 100% came out of the situation a winner. And Lucy is continuing to pay the price. As happy as I am that Tim finally acknowledged Primm's role in the outcome of Lucy's detective exam, I am actually pretty disappointed that we haven't seen any actual acknowledgement from him that Lucy is in the position she's in now specifically because she didn't want him to be unhappy.

Lucy's choices were her own, and now she's gotta live with that, but there's no question that she did what she did out of love. And it sucks that we haven't seen any direct appreciation for what she was willing to risk for him, even if he wasn't a fan of the execution.

I had to go back and watch some clips from this episode in order to respond to this, and I have to say it actually gutted me to see how genuinely happy and proud and excited Lucy was for Tim when he got the promotion. Especially juxtaposed against Lucy learning that as much as Tim loves her and wants to support her, he really isn't able to fully get behind her on her dream, which is, of course, understandable, given his past, but still just really heartbreaking for Lucy.

When I initially watched the five-player-trade episode, I was just waiting for Tim to pop up at Smitty's trailer in his own hazmat suit to help Lucy. I thought he would be a little irritated about Lucy going behind his back, but ultimately I though we'd see him acknowledging and appreciating just how much she was willing to do to make sure he was happy (forget torpedoing her career -- she cleaned Smitty's trailer for god's sake!).

Moving into the V-day episode...

First off, boo on Tim for bailing on V-day breakfast (even is she was up late catching up with Noah 😂).

Even though I understood why Tim was upset, I don't love avoidant Tim (looking at you, beginning of 6x02 Tim 😂). Lucy of course deals with it because she does genuinely love him and understands how he operates, but this is something I do think he needs to work on and I'd like to see change over the course of the relationship. As much as I loved their Rookie-T.O. dynamic, there are definitely aspects of it that don't belong in a healthy relationship.

Back to the point, I do think what Lucy did was misguided and short-sighted (and unbelievably sweet). I do think she should have actually apologized (sorry not sorry doesn't count 😂).

But, while we're at it, Tim can apologize for making a major life decision without talking to her first also... 😂

The scene at the end was cute; I like it better now than I did when it originally aired. Some actual heat over "fuel for later" would have been great but it is, of course, The Rookie. And I do wish they would have made the gift somehow meaningful for them to give the scene a little bit more weight (think when Jackson gave Lucy the St. Michael pendant), but hey, at least we got the trophy this season 🥰.

Ultimately, it didn't make me feel a whole lot, and it's not a scene that makes the list when I think of my favorite moments for them.

And watching it back did highlight (IMO) the contrast between what we've seen so far in season 6 vs. the bulk of what we saw in season 5. And while angst is part of it, for me, I think it's more about giving us a story that (at least occasionally) goes beyond the surface level (Tim was mildly irritated! Lucy was sassy and silly!) and explores the character's emotions in a way that makes them more human and relatable.

What were your thoughts on this storyline??

#chenford #the rookie #my asks #see lana ramble #lucy chen #tim bradford #the rookie 5x13 #the rookie 5x16 #lucy chen x tim bradford #tim bradford x lucy chen

21 notes · View notes

karihighman · 1 year

Text

THE ROOKIE 5x13 “Daddy Cop” PROMO PHOTOS ©️DGE Press / ABC.

#the rookie #daddy cop #the rookie 5x13 #promo photos #lucy chen #tim bradford #chenford #such cuties #nyla harper #james murray #wesley evers #angela lopez #wopez #wade grey #bailan #bailey nune #john nolan #celina juarez #aaron thorsen

251 notes · View notes

makeoutstopcrime · 1 year

Text

same energy

#the rookie spoilers #the rookie #the rookie 5x13 #daddy cop #I’m LOSING IT #I love this so much???#Tim they are getting you out of that desk job buddy just hold on

88 notes · View notes

dimandjuicybradfordchen · 1 year

Text

Can we talk about how Tim and Lucy are very matchy-matchy here with their black and grey attire?

#chenford #the rookie #tim bradford #lucy chen #lucy x tim #tim bradford x lucy chen #the rookie spoilers #the rookie 5x13

127 notes · View notes

makeitastrength · 1 year

Text

The one where everybody finds out

If someone had asked him yesterday, Aaron would have said that Tim Bradford would take a desk job when hell froze over. But hell hasn’t frozen over, yet Tim Bradford has taken a desk job. And there’s only one other reason he can think of to explain this sudden and very out-of-character transfer.

-OR-

Tim leaves patrol to take a desk job. Everyone else becomes suspicious. Takes place between 5x12 and 5x13

Read the rest on AO3

#chenford #chenford fanfic #tim bradford #lucy chen #the rookie 5x12 #the rookie 5x13

105 notes · View notes

deeg9 · 1 year

Note

Chenford + 5.13 fix it fic.

They all find out!

Hey anon -

Thanks for this request. I was also hoping for a more robust ensemble moment from 5x13. You can read my take on it below or on AO3 here.

5x13: The Reveal

“Hey,” Lucy said, whisking through Nolan's front door.

“Lucy. Sure, why not? Come on in,” Nolan replied with a flip of his hand.

“Oh, you look surprised.” Lucy set her duffle bag down in front of an empty chair in the living room. “Wait, weren't you on the group text?”

“No, no. I turn off my phone when –” Nolan paused when Bailey shot him a look. “Nevermind. Can I get you a drink?”

“Tequila. Double,” Lucy said with a sigh.

Everyone stared at her.

“I need it,” Lucy said with an uncomfortable laugh. “We have a big problem.”

“What’s going on?” Wesley asked.

“Tim is miserable in his new role and he won’t admit it,” Lucy explained. “We need to figure out what chess moves to make in order to get him into a better job.”

“Wait. Tim isn’t a sergeant anymore?” James asked. “When did that happen?”

“No, he’s still a sergeant,” Nyla interjected and then smirked. “He took a new job for reasons neither he nor Lucy will say out loud.”

“Yeah.” Angela nudged Lucy with her elbow and handed her the drink Nolan had poured. “Why, exactly, is Timothy Bradford the Court Liaison Sergeant again?”

“Grey said it was because of the officer no-show rates getting too high. He needed Tim to get that under control,” Nolan interjected, completely oblivious. He dried his hand with a towel and tossed it on the counter. “Wes, let me show you where the charging cable is.”

“Thanks,” Wesley said and followed Nolan down the hall, but not before throwing a sly look at his wife.

“I’m going to lay Leah down,” James said, motioning at his baby girl who was struggling to keep her eyes open.

“Thank you,” Nyla smiled. James kissed her on the cheek and took Leah out of her arms.

“You can use the first room on the right,” Bailey told him, pointing in that direction.

“Is Nolan right, Lucy?” Angela egged on.

“Mm-hmm,” Lucy hummed. She took a big gulp from her drink before the burn reminded her it was tequila on ice. She couched into her elbow.

“Come on, ladies,” Bailey said with a laugh. She walked over and swung her arm around Lucy’s shoulders and guided her toward the living room. “They’ll tell us when they’re ready.”

“Right,” Angela agreed before playfully narrowing her gaze on Lucy. “Even if it hurts our feelings more every day they don’t.”

“Angela–” Lucy started.

“No, no.” Angela held up her hands. “Just know that I’m not telling you my secret until you tell me yours.”

Lucy ignored the comment and unzipped the bag at her feet. She unpacked sticky notes and markers onto the coffee table and then wrote the names of different departments on separate notes: Motors, SWAT, Robbery, Metro, Vice, IA, Air Support, and Homicide. Nyla took a stack of stickies and began to write the names of sergeants and other high-level officers on each sheet.

“Is it really even a secret at this point?” Lucy finally asked, looking between the women.

“What do you mean, ‘at this point’?” Nyla asked with a laugh and Angela joined in. “You two literally went from being attached at the hip, to not being able to be in the same room together, to being attached at the hip.”

“That doesn’t mean…” Lucy shook her head.

She wrote ‘Retired’ on one more sticky note and then arranged them all on Nolan’s living room window. Nyla and Angela joined her and sorted the cops under each of their respective departments.

“You didn’t even see Tim lie to my face about not having feelings for her,” Angela said to Nyla. “His voice cracked and went up an entire octave. And that was before The Great Resistance.”

Nyla and Bailey snickered.

“The Great Resistance?” Lucy grumbled, her cheeks flaming red.

“Yeah,” Nyla nodded, picking up a grape from a bowl of fruit Bailey had set on the table. “You know? The time between the UC op and when Grey made you two ride together again.”

“Oh my god,” Lucy pressed her palm to her forehead. “So everybody knows?”

“Well, not everybody,” Bailey interjected, motioning her wine glass toward the hall. “I’m pretty sure Nolan hasn’t figured it out. He’s had his hands full with Celina.”

“Well, that’s ironic,” Lucy mumbled. “Okay, let’s focus. We really need to figure out a solution for Hicks and then everything else should fall into place.”

“What about motors?” Angela asked.

“He has triplets,” Lucy and Nyla said simultaneously.

“Oof,” Bailey cringed. “Definitely not the safest job for someone who isn’t going to get a good night’s sleep for the foreseeable future.”

“What did I miss?” Nolan asked as he jogged up.

James and Wesley were right behind him and Nyla explained the musical chairs they were trying to accomplish. Wesley took a sleeping Jackson from Angela’s arms and went to lay him down in Nolan’s guest room.

“I got it,” Nolan said. He picked up a sticky. “Hicks leaves Metro, goes to IA. Remington moves to Motors. That means Watson gets into SWAT. Halsey comes over to Metro. There's still a spot for Tim.”

“Remington's wife won't let her on a motorcycle, so that's a non-starter,” Nyla said, shaking her head.

“Okay, um, Fuji retires?” Lucy moved Fujii to ‘Retired’. “Halsey goes to Metro and Madison goes to Robbery. Hmm?”

“Primm will go to Vice?” Angela suggested.

“No, they hate each other,” Nolan shot down.

“Okay.” Lucy tapped her chin. “Um, Jones goes to SWAT.”

They stared at the window and a slow smile grew on their faces.

“And Bob's your uncle,” Angela said.

A knock sounded on the front door and Nolan went to answer it.

“Yes,” Lucy clapped and then her smile fell. “Oh, no.”

“What?” Nyla asked.

“Well, the only way this works is if Fuji retires,” Lucy pointed out, “and the only person who can convince her to do that is…”

“Smitty,” Nyla supplied.

“Yeah.” Lucy grimaced.

“Hey, Tim,” Nolan said loud enough for his voice to carry. “This is unexpected. What's your -- What's the -- What are you -- What's up?”

“Shhhit!” Lucy whispered. They all frantically pulled the sticky notes off of the glass.

“Uh, I heard you had power,” Tim said. “I was hoping you had the game on.”

Bailey plopped on the sectional and stuffed a handful of stickies behind her back while James shoved some down between the side arm and cushion. Lucy stuck a stack under her thigh as she sat.

“Yes,” Nolan stalled. “I mean, yes, we have power. The game is -- We can...”

“Is that Lucy's car?” Tim pointed over his shoulder.

”Uh, yes. Come on in,” Nolan said and waved him in. “Hey, guys, look who it is.”

Nolan headed for the kitchen while Tim approached the group.

“It's a party,” Tim said suspiciously. “What's going on?”

“Nothing,” Angela shrugged. “Just enjoying the A/C.”

Lucy nodded in agreement a little too eagerly.

“You okay?” Tim asked her.

“Yeah,” Lucy said with a smile. “Couldn't be better.”

“So you’ve all just been sitting here in silence?” Tim asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Well, we just got here.” Lucy provided.

Nolan cleared his throat and handed Tim a beer.

“The game?” Nolan asked. He picked the remote up from the coffee table and navigated to the local sports channel.

“Oh, sure,” Tim said. “If that’s cool with everyone?”

“Of course,” Bailey said and scooted down the sofa closer to Angela to make room for Nolan and Tim. She carefully slid the stickies behind her back to Angela.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room as everyone pretended to be focused on the screen. James tapped his fingers along the armrest and Nolan’s leg bounced nervously to the same beat.

Wesley returned and sat on the floor in front of his wife. He glanced around the room, an odd expression on his face.

“Did I miss something?” Wesley asked.

“Nope,” James said, but it was clear he was holding back a smile.

“Then why isn’t anyone talking?” Wesley looked between Tim and Lucy sitting on opposite sides of the room.

“We’re enjoying the game,” Lucy said, clearing her throat.

Tim huffed and rolled his eyes.

“What?” Lucy asked, pursing her lips with a dare in her eyes.

“I’ve known Nolan for years and he’s never sat in silence this long,” Tim said. “ Something is definitely -– Oh.”

Tim’s brows shot up and he looked around the room. His eyes widened and Lucy subtly shook her head, silently trying to communicate.

“You told them?” He asked and she let out an exasperated breath.

Angela, Nyla, and Bailey burst out laughing from a mixture of relief at the awkward silence ending and amusement that Tim had picked up on the wrong secret.

“No, Tim,” Lucy rolled her eyes but she was smiling. “You told them.”

“Okay, now I’m missing something,” Nolan said to Bailey.

“Oh, honey,” Bailey slapped Nolan on the knee and shook her head.

Angela wiped tears out of her eyes and Nyla leaned back against James. The air seemed to clear with the news finally out in the open so Tim put his hands on his knees to push up from the sectional and walked over to Lucy.

He held out his hand and Lucy took it, rising to her feet. She swiped the sticky note stuck to her thigh off and it fell to the ground.

“Are you going to tell me what’s up with the sticky notes everyone thought I didn’t see being passed around?” Tim asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” Lucy said, standing on her tippy toes to peck him on the lips. “Trust me.”

“I do.” Tim smiled down at her.

“Oh,” Nolan let out a surprised noise and then chuckled. “Wow. Am I the only one who didn’t know about this?”

“Yes,” everyone on the sectional said simultaneously, leading to another round of laughter.

Tim used the momentary distraction to steal a kiss from Lucy, perfectly happy that he no longer had to hide his affection for her.

“Ew!” Angela threw a pillow at them, hitting him in the back. “Get a room!”

“But please, not here,” Nolan teased.

Lucy turned in Tim’s arms until she was leaning back against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close as they listened to their friends all join in to heckle them.

Suddenly, their relationship felt real. Lucy thought that would scare her when they finally reached this moment, but instead, the warmth of their friends' happiness and acceptance put her perfectly at ease. These people were her family and she’d never felt more grateful that she'd taken a risk on a whim a few years ago to join the LAPD. She smiled up at Tim and knew without a doubt, he felt the same way.

[Thanks for reading! Kudos and comments on AO3 -- linked here --are always appreciated.]

#anon request #ao3 #chenford #chenford fic #the rookie 5x13 #by deeg9 #the rookie #ensemble scene rewrite

48 notes · View notes