Title: In Pieces

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Tim's internal alarm woke him at six. Lucy was curled next to him sound asleep her head on his chest. Her face was pale and there were dark circles under her eyes. She had bruises that were still healing. Tim circled his arms around her once more and rested his head lightly on top of were both still dealing with a lot from the aftermath of the kidnapping. He still wished more than anything that he had a time machine and could go back. The beatings she endured were bad enough but to be violated on top of that and then buried and left for dead...Tim shuddered and tightened his embrace. Lucy was stronger than anyone he had ever known. Some how Tim had to convince her of that.

Tim settled back against the pillow and watched his rookie sleep. Things had changed between them; he couldn't deny that any longer. They weren't simply T.O and rookie. They weren't only friends. The bond ran too deep. Tim didn't want to look too closely at that bond. He was still recovering from the failed marriage to Isabel and her addiction. Never mind the fact that Lucy was his boot. They couldn't cross that line now.

After she healed? After she graduated from training? A possibility to consider. He'd failed Lucy once. Tim knew if they were romantically involved and something bad happened that was his fault that was on his watch he wouldn't handle it well. She had become that important to him now magnify that by a hundred and Tim knew her death would crush him.

Mentally shaking away the dark thoughts Tim tried to center himself. He was getting too far ahead. Though Tim knew taking things one day at a time was easier said then done. He'd seen enough people in the military and the LAPD deal with PTSD and the after affects of trauma. Depending on what they had seen and or done it was a long road to recovery. Some finished out their careers; some did not. Tim knew even without his help Lucy would beat the odds; she already had.

He'd talk to Grey about Lucy returning to work. Not full time. She wouldn't be happy with easing into things but it couldn't be helped. If she went back too soon it could set her back. The nerves she'd had after the first meeting with Grey were a sign of that. Tim knew his boot; she'd tried to prove herself no matter the cost. In the short run Lucy may hate him for protecting her from herself.

Lucy awoke to an empty bed. She must've been dead tired not to hear Tim leave. There was a note on the nightstand stating he'd had to go into work. Feeling completely drained Lucy sank back against her pillow and looked at the window. The brief glance she'd had of the alarm clock had told Lucy it was after nine.

Memories of the night before flooded back and Lucy winced. She'd been vulnerable again in front of Tim. The nightmare had shaken her; taken her right back to that dark void. Lucy had felt exposed in front of her partner. Again, her T.O hadn't judged her; hadn't criticized. Had only shown kindness and comfort.

Lucy tried to push the memories of the nightmare away. She could still feel the fear, the panic. Tears began blurring her vision and she blinked them away. Lucy forced herself into a sitting position. Taking a shaky breath Lucy gripped the edge of the mattress. She wasn't going to let the nightmares and memories win. She would take her life back. One step at a time. Standing Lucy gathered a change of clothes and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Time to start another day.