Many thanks to LDT5413 for the beta

Title: Consequence
author: Cindy Ryan
notes: This is separate from my other fics. Friendship Tim/Lucy piece

Summary: Alternate take on 1x19. What if Chen and Bradford had been at the
auto theft raid? What if Lucy had been in the path of West's squad?

"Adam 719 foot pursuit through pla..."

Officer Tim Bradford heard his rookie's radio call get cut off. He was a few feet behind her but had gotten tangled in the scared crowd. The screech of brakes told Tim where to look. He saw the front of Lopez's shop in the entrance to the plaza. His brain analyzed the splash of blood on the hood even as he continued to run. Continued to shove people out of the way. What he found stopped Tim dead in his tracks. Lucy Chen was sprawled on the pavement still, bloody and looking all the world like a broken rag doll.

"Chen!"Tim shouted as his feet finally moved.

Lopez was already radioing for an ambulance. That meant she was alive. Gravel bit into Tim's knees as he slid to a stop by Lucy. He took her vitals breathing shallow. Pulse thready.

"What the hell happened?!"Tim demanded.

"I-I couldn't stop fast enough."West stammered as he raked his hands through his hair."Oh God..."

Coldness jerked Tim's attention back to his partner. Lucy's skin was cold.

"Lopez, blanket she's going into shock!"Tim thundered.

Seconds later a gray blanket was handed to Tim. As gently as he could Tim wrapped it around Lucy. She looked so fragile and small.

"You're not quitting on me, Chen!"Tim stated as he swallowed hard."Don't you dare quit."

The ambulance arrived and Tim watched numbly as the paramedics placed his rookie on a stretcher and into the ambulance. He hadn't had one die on the job while he was training them. Lucy was not going to be his first. Tim didn't think he could handle everything they'd become friends. Well as much as a T.O and a rookie could. He didn't want to fail he ;couldn't.

Tim had been in his share of hospital waiting rooms. Unfortunately it came with the uniform. He'd spent hours waiting to hear if a friend was going to make small room was crowded. Nolan, West, Lopez and Bishop sat or stood. Tim had been listening to Lopez trying to calm her rookie. What she said next caused Tim to see red. He stalked over and grabbed the youth by the shirt collar hauling him to his feet. Tim slammed Jackson against the nearest wall. He heard Talia shout his name. Felt Lopez trying to break his hold.

"Did I hear that right?"Tim snarled."You disobeyed an order?!"

"Tim, he was primary!"Lopez shouted.

"You're his T.O!"Tim said his own voice rising. "He still should have listened!"

Finally it was Nolan who got a grip on Tim's left shoulder and hurled him back. Tim took another step forward but John blocked him. With a last glare Tim stalked out of the room.

You alright?"John asked.

Shakily Jackson shook his head as he leaned forward resting his hands on his knees. After a moment he raised his head. This whole mess was his fault. Jackson just wanted Lucy to be alright. Any consequences he could take.

"No, but I need to talk to him."Jackson stated quietly.

"Not right now."John warned.

"Not going to be a better time."West argued as he took a step forward.

"Maybe but it'll be better than this."John countered. "Poking the bear would just put you in the hospital with Lucy and I don't need both of you there."

"I was primary."Jackson continued. "I need to own this. She's hurt because of me; because I screwed up."

"Your idea was good but not the way you went about it."Lopez interjected. "There was too many unknowns charging into that plaza."

"I know."West agreed dejectedly. "John, what if she's hurt bad? What if she doesn't forgive me? What..."

"Don't go there."John interrupted firmly. "You'll make yourself crazy with what if's. Just have to take it one step at a time no matter how much it sucks."

"Nolan's right."Lopez commented as she placed a hand on Jackson's left shoulder. "I'll find Tim make sure he's not punching walls."

"Thanks."Jackson acknowledged.

As Lopez left Jackson sank down into one of the chairs and buried his face in his hands. He'd been so gun ho; so sure his idea was going to save the day. Now a friend was paying the price because he didn't think it through. After a moment Jackson leaned back against the chair and closed his eyes sending off a silent prayer that Lucy would be alright.