Chapter Text
Setting: Season 7. Tamara is living with friends. Lucy and Tim are in a good place. Post Valentine's Day Hook Up
A call comes in, Lucy answers, “Hello? May I please speak to Lucy Chen?.... “This is Jamie from St. Stephens Hospital. Your daughter has been brought in. She was in an accident.” My daughter?? Fuck, Tamara.
Lucy asks for more details, “I can’t say much right now. She was brought in about 15 minutes ago and is currently in surgery. Does she have any medical issues we should be aware of?”
Lucy takes some time to answer all her questions, then hangs up. Her mind is racing. Before she knows what she is doing, she’s calling Tim. He’s riding solo today. “I’ll meet you there, Luce. She’s going to be okay.”
Those are the words Lucy needs to hear. The worry, the unknown, is spinning through her brain.
A few minutes later, she arrives at the hospital. Bailey is there. “I’m so sorry Luce. She’s strong. We were able to control the bleeding and stabilize her on scene.” Lucy nods her head as Bailey continues. “I wanted to make sure to stay here until you arrived. That’s what you would have done for any of us.”
“Thanks, Bailey, do you mind sticking around a bit longer? I would like the company.” Lucy says..
“Of course, anything for you. Let me radio out and I’ll grab us some coffees,” Bailey responds.
While Bailey calls out, Tim comes rushing in the ER door and heads towards Lucy. “How is she? Do you know anything yet? Can we see her?” Tim has the worry of a parent. Lucy grabs his hand and they find a quiet area in the waiting area. Tim is still wearing his uniform while Lucy is more relaxed in a pair of black leggings and an oversized shirt.
“Tim, she has to be okay. Bailey said there was a lot of blood loss, but they were able to control everything on scene.” He just stares at Lucy, seeing the hurt and worry in her face. Trying to be strong. He doesn’t know what to say, maybe there isn’t anything he can say. In that moment, he wraps his arms about her and pulls her closer. “Yes, she will, Luc,e” and kisses the top of her head. Lucy feels grounded by his embrace.
Bailey comes back with a tray of black coffees and sets them down on the small table near where they are sitting. “Any update?” she asks. Lucy and Tim both shake their heads. Bailey notices the closeness between them but will never say anything. She’s always been rooting for them. She’s watched Tim fall apart, and Lucy is just the light he needs.
Bailey hands both of them a cup of coffee as she stands back up. “I’m going to finish my report and see if I can get an update from the nurse.” Tim mouths ‘thank you’ and focuses on Lucy who is taking sips of coffee.
They exchange glances with each other. A story just from their eye contact - pain, fear, worry, but best of all, hope. As long as they were together, they could get through it. Lucy lays her head on Tim’s shoulder, continuing to release the tension.
A few minutes later, Bailey comes back. “Good news, Tamara’s surgery went well. They stopped the bleeding and will be taking her to recovery. Hopefully, she’ll be able to have visitors in the next hour.” In unison, Tim and Lucy both let out sighs of relief. “She’ll have a bit of a stay and possibly additional surgery, but she’s in the best of hands.” Bailey continues.
“Thank you,” Lucy says, still thinking about her little Tamara hurt. Bailey continues to offer support. “Of course. Is there anything either of you need? Cloths? Food? I can have Nolan pick up some stuff before he comes to pick me up.”
Lucy didn’t even think about the fact that their ‘shops’ made things more difficult. Bailey let her go to stay with Lucy earlier, and Nolan has been called to come to pick up Tim’s.
“Actually, some food would be nice.” Lucy starts, “and some extra clothes.” Tim interrupts, “Oh, toothbrushes too, please”. Lucy gives Tim a look. “What?! Nolan can stop at my house and grab stuff for both of us.” Tim continues.. It feels like forever ago when they moved stuff into each other's places. Neither one has asked for it all back. Maybe it’s because they knew their story wasn’t done.
Bailey eyes both of them. Stuff at each other’s places? We all knew they weren’t done. “Message sent.”
The three of them sit in the waiting area in almost silence, drinking their luke warm coffees, watching the world continue around them. Bailey shares gossip from work. Firefighters always have something going on. Tim shared pictures of Kojo. Seeing the pictures makes Lucy long for what used to be between them.
Nurse Anna walks into the area, “Family of Tamara Collins?” Lucy, Tim, and Bailey all stand up. The nurse knows Bailey, so she continues to talk to Lucy and Tim. “Tamara is stable. She’s not awake yet, but we have set her up in recovery. You are both welcome to sit with her.”
Tim goes back to where they were sitting and grabs both his and Lucy’s belongings. They follow the nurse into the elevator and then to Tamara’s room. In the elevator, Tim notices tears are falling from the corner of Lucy’s eyes. He brushes her hand to remind her she’s not alone, and she answers by taking his finger into hers. Small gestures of comfort.
When the nurse arrives at the room, she briefs them once again on Tamara’s condition and the rules of guests. As officers, Tim and Lucy are afforded more flexibility than most, which they are thankful for.
Lucy walks into the room first, and Tim follows close behind. They both stare with concern. Tamara looks so small, so innocent.
Tim walks past Lucy and pulls a chair up to Tamara’s bed for her. “Please sit, Luce” as he gestures towards the seat. Once Lucy sits down, he stands behind her, hands on her shoulders, while watching the machines report out strong vitals.
Back at the nurses' station, Nurse Anna reflects on what it must feel like for parents to come into a room to see their kid like this. She turns to the Charge Nurse Brian, “You know, those parents look so young, how could they have a daughter that old?”. He replies with a shrug. “Maybe it’s his daughter and she’s step-mom?”
Nolan arrives at the recovery floor. “I’m looking for Tamara Collin’s Room.” Nurse Anna points to the room across from their station. “Thank you” Nolan says as he walks into the room with a large duffle bag and some food.
Tim meets Nolan by the door and takes the duffle bag. ”I grabbed what I thought you both would need, but if I missed anything, please let me know. While I was there, Genny came by to pick up Kojo, and she wanted me to tell you to text her if you need anything.” Nolan explained and then handed them a take-out bag with dinner and another grocery bag, “Snacks, my wife insisted”.
Tim thanks Nolan and hands over the keys to his shop so it can go back to the station. “Grey says you asked for personal leave - I think that’s a good use of time,” Nolan says as he glances over at Lucy holding Tamara’s hand. Tim responds, “I need to be here with them. I…” Tim was afraid to say the words. For he knew he had a lot to do to earn their trust and love.
“I know, Tim. They are going to be okay.” Nolan reassures him. “You guys will be okay.”
Nolan heads back out. Nurses Anna and Brian, after hearing the conversation, assume that Tim and Lucy must be separated, divorced, most likely. They have had their share of divorced parents and know the tension (fights) that can come with it. Brian makes sure Anna is ready for anything that might happen.
Tim settles back down on the loveseat in Tamara’s room while going through the bag Nolan bought. Everything is there that he or Lucy will need. He grabs the toiletries and takes them to the bathroom to brush his teeth and get ready for the night.
As Tim comes back from the bathroom, Lucy stands up. Tim, worried, says, “Anything I can do?” Lucy shakes her head. “I’m here if you need me. I’ll get the loveseat made up so you can get some sleep.” Lucy shakes her head again and then says, “No, I mean, yes. Actually, I need to wash my face, but could we sit for a while?”
While Lucy is in the bathroom, Nurse Anna comes in. More cautious now that the parents have been identified as “separated”. She checks Tamara’s vitals, adjusts her body, and prepares to administer some more meds into her IV. She can feel Tim split his attention between what she is doing and Tamara. At least he is a caring Dad, she thinks to herself.
Lucy finishes up in the bathroom, walks out to see Anna still there, and Tim sitting in the chair next to Tamara’s bed. A smile escapes, her first smile since the accident. Seeing Tim in dad mode always warmed Lucy’s heart, but to see him still in this way feels like nothing had changed.
“Any update?” asks Lucy to Nurse Anna.
“No, vitals are still good, but it could be several more hours before her body recovers. The room next door is open if you guys need more space. I can bring extra sheets.”
Tim and Lucy look at each other.
Almost at the same time, they both say no. “We’d like to stay close to Tamara,” says Tim. Lucy moves closer to Tim, “together,” she adds.
Hmmm… That’s not a typical divorced parent. And the mom looks way too young to have a daughter this age. She has to be a step-mom. But boy, do they look alike.
Brian asks Anna, “Did you offer them space in the room next door?”. Anna quickly responds, “Yes, but they want to stay in her room, together.” They exchange looks, and he adds, “Maybe we have something different happening.
Back in the room, Lucy takes Tim’s hand and guides him to the loveseat. They both sit down, Lucy folding her legs under her, leaning towards Tim. Tim looks over at her and wraps his arm around to bring her closer. They stay like this for several minutes.
The smell of Lucy takes over Tim’s mind. He couldn’t forget how she used to make the pillows smell on his bed, so when she was gone, he could feel that she was close. Lucy looks up. “I’m exhausted”. Tim’s free hand comes around to take Lucy’s hand into his. He lays a soft kiss on it. “I know, Luce. Why don’t you sleep and I’ll stay up with Tamara. I’ll wake you if anything changes.”
Tim tries to get up and move to the chair, but Lucy wraps her arms around him, not allowing him to get up. “Or I can stay right here,” Tim says with a smile. Lucy shakes her head in agreement. Just a few minutes later, curled up on the loveseat, they are both fast asleep.
Anna walks in, checking on Tamara. Everything continues to look good. Anna can't help but glance at Tim and Lucy cuddled on the couch. If I didn’t know, I would assume these two are happily married. They must be the best co-parents out there.
The digital clock in the room reads 2:30 a.m. when Lucy bolts awake from a horrible nightmare. The movement startles Tim, “You okay?” he asks her while half asleep himself, and without thinking, he pulls Lucy even closer.
“Yes, just a nightmare,” Lucy responds. Tim was more awake, looking concerned, “I thought you’ve move past those.” Lucy, with a half smile, “For the most part, stress makes them return.” A tear runs down Tim’s face. Did he cause this? She had gotten to a point where she was safe and he ruined it. Lucy reaches over and dries his tear. “Tim….” she whispers. He starts off, “Luce, this is my fault. You had done so much work, and I ruined your progress with my stupid self-punishment.” Just as Lucy responds, Tamara wakes.
“Lucy?” she says so quietly
Lucy and Tim rush over to her bedside. Lucy takes a seat and Tim stands next to her. Lucy can tell Tamara is confused. Lucy takes the time to share with Tamara what happened. A semi truck ran a red light, t-boning her car. Tim steps out to the nurses' station to let Anna know Tamara is awake.
Nurse Anna comes in to perform tests, “This should only take a moment,” she tells Lucy. Lucy takes a step back.
Nurse Brian looks over at Tim, who is watching the room, though at this moment, Tim can only see Lucy. “I bet you are relieved now that your daughter is awake.” Tim didn’t love others referring to Tamara as his daughter - he didn’t feel like he deserved it.
With a half smile, Tim responds, “of course”. Brian wanted to get some more intel on the dynamic. “She looks like you both. Crazy how a child can be the perfect combination of their parents.”
Tim chuckles. It’s been said by a few people how much Tamara looks like him and Lucy. “It’s really is crazy in our situation.”
Now Brian is just as confused. Inside Tamara’s room, Anna finishes up and answers Tamara's questions. She also gives Lucy a chance to ask any, “Okay, Mom, any questions for me?” Tamara laughs when she hears the Nurse call Lucy mom. “I like that sound of that,” Tamara adds.
Anna confirms, definitely step-mom. Dad must have a type since they look so much alike.
As Anna walks out, Tim heads back in. “Hey T, how are you feeling?” Tamara jokes, “Like I got hit by a semi”. Lucy and Tim laugh but give Tamara the “it’s not funny” look.
Tamara puts her hand on Lucy and tells her, “You didn’t have to come. I’m a big girl.” With Lucy’s other hand, she pulls Tim near and with her soft eyes tells Tamara, “We are always here for you”.