Title: Falling Apart
author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: all
Notes: This may turn into a Tim/Lucy romantic fic but haven't decided yet.

Jackson West had been so exhausted when he'd finally got to bed that night he'd fallen asleep on top of the covers. That was until a scream shot him bolt upright. He was out of bed before his brain registered that it was still dark and that the scream belonged to his roommate. Grabbing is off duty weapon from it's place on the top of the dresser Jackson opened the door of his room and ran across the living room.

The sight that greeted Jackson when he flung open the door to Lucy Chen's room broke his heart. This was her first night home after the hospital. After a harrowing experience of being kidnapped and buried alive. He'd wanted to believe her when she'd said she was handling things. That she was okay. Now his friend was clutched in the depth of a nightmare. Her arms and legs were thrashing tossing off the blanket and sheets. Jackson set down his gun on the window sill of and cautiously approached the bed.

Jackson had heard that waking a person from a nightmare could be bad thing. Still Jackson knew he had to try. He didn't want her reliving whatever hell she was dreaming about. Whatever her subconscious was remembering. Sitting on the edge of the bed Jackson reached out and gently grasped Lucy's shoulders forcing her to stop moving. He was afraid she'd hurt herself. Lucy continued to struggle; her eyes tightly closed. Her legs kicked out.

"Lucy, it's Jackson."West called. "You're safe; you're home. It's just a dream."

Lucy screamed again and broke free of Jackson's grip. The movement sent her rolling off the bed. She ended up on the floor. His heart full of empathy Jackson knelt and touched Lucy's left shoulder.

"Lucy, you're safe. Just a dream. You're safe."Jackson said once more.

Lucy withdrew from his touch and curled in on herself. The space between the bed and the closet was so small she just barely fit and there was no way Jackson was going to be able to get in there with her. He stood and ran a worried hand through his hair. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand Jackson saw it was nearly three in the morning. Not many would answer a three am phone call, but he knew one person that would. Jackson retreated to his bedroom and grabbed his cell and dialed.

Tim Bradford muttered a curse as the ringing of his cell phone woke him. Or more accurately the vibration. It was resting on the pillow next to him. He'd been watching some sports clips on the internet basketball, football, baseball anything to distract his brain enough to sleep. It'd partially worked but it'd taken a long time for sleep to come. With recent events Tim didn't ignore the call. He glanced at the screen and his heart sank as he saw the name. There would only be one reason why Jackson West was calling him at three in the morning; Lucy.

"What's wrong?"Tim answered the call without preamble

"She's having a nightmare. I can't wake her."Jackson replied worriedly. "I'm afraid she'll hurt herself."

"I'll be there in fifteen."Tim stated ending the call.

It'd take him more than that, but this time of night Tim would break a few speed limits. Quickly Tim changed clothes grabbed his cell phone, wallet and keys and left.

As Lucy slowly awoke she was completely disorientated. It was dark and she was in a small space. Oh no! Had her rescue been a dream? Had she never left the darkness? A whimper escaped Lucy and she wrapped her arms around herself.

Jackson opened the door to Tim's first knock. He'd been about to raise his hand for the second impatient to know what was going on. The look on Jackson's face told Tim everything.

"She hasn't woken?"Tim demanded as he entered the apartment.

"No, at least she's not responding to me."Jackson responded anxiously leading the way to Lucy's room."I left the lights off...I didn't want to freak her out more."

"Good idea."Tim replied quietly. "Stay here. I don't want to crowd her."

Jackson nodded and stepped back but Tim saw his worried eyes remain on the darkened room. He stepped into Lucy's room and let his eyes adjust. Once they did he walked to where his partner lay on the floor. Tim's heart stopped and he let out a slow breath. Lucy was curled into a tight ball. As much as the space would allow. Her bare feet were pressed against the closed closet door.

"Boot, you're safe."Tim said gently as he crouched down. "It's over; you're home."

"Boot, you're safe."

Lucy would know that voice anywhere. She clung to it; let it ground her. Slowly Lucy came back to herself and she felt the dregs of the nightmare fall away.

"It's over; you're home."Tim voice broke through once again.

Lucy opened her eyes really seeing this time. She was still in the dark but the familiar shadows of her furniture soothed her. She was truly home; the rescue had been real. A sob broke free before Lucy could stop it. Sitting up Lucy leaned back against the bed drawing her knees in. Tears flowed.

"Sssh, boot."Tim soothed moving to her.

Later Lucy would wonder why her T.O was in her bedroom in the middle of the night. Right now his presence was her anchor. Through blurry vision Lucy saw Tim wrap his arms around her. There was barely enough space for the two of them. She fell into his embrace. The tears fell harder and Lucy wondered if she was falling apart. If she would get past the trauma.

"You're safe."Tim whispered. "He can't hurt you. You're okay now."

She wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe she was that strong. Right now her world seemed to be tilting and Lucy didn't know which way was up.