#angela needs to confirm to tim that she knows for a fact that lucy does indeed really have feelings for him

[dylanconrique]

please let 5x05 be the episode where angela clocks just how real lucy’s feelings for tim are, if she’s not doing the detective work while watching lucy watch tim at his bedside then i don’t want it.

#*and this is icarly! #the rookie #the rookie s5 #angela lopez #tim bradford #lucy chen #chenford #otp: you know me so well #angela needs to confirm to tim that she knows for a fact that lucy does indeed really have feelings for him #and to push for tim to talk to her #bc she wants him to be happy and she knows lucy has been and could continue to make him do that #plus it would make for such a good parallel to 5x01 when she asked tim if he thought lucy had feelings for him #like... #'you think lucy has feelings for you?' // 'i know lucy has feelings for you.' #watch angela plant a seed of hope in his head as she gradually persuades him that maybe it's not so far fetched that lucy reciprocates #god!!! this episode is going to WRECK ME!!!!!

[theflyindutchwoman]

Do you really think holding on to this is what he needs? Maybe it's better for him to lose. This contest is the one day a year he feels connected to her. Do you really want to take that away?

| ANATOMY OF A SCENE - CHENFORD EDITION 1.05 - The Roundup

This one is a bit different, since Tim and Lucy don't interact with each other here… Actually, Tim isn't even present for the first part of the scene. And yet, it still feels significant : this is where we can finally grasp the extent of how special their relationship is going to be… and already is.

At its core, this scene is between three women who care and want to be there for their friend/training officer any way they can. It starts in the female locker room with Angela and Talia rigging up the competition so that Tim could win. Lucy might be a bit of an outsider at first but she rapidly pieces everything together. This is where we get a tangible clue that her rapport with Tim is different, and not just compared to the other duos. When she mentions Isabel, Angela and Talia look completely surprised that she knows about this at all. But it's Talia's reaction that is the most telling here. Since she used to be Tim's rookie (for a couple of weeks), it gives us a frame of reference. And, considering that this is someone who was invited at Tim's wedding, the fact that she still looks taken aback by all of this conveys just how unique it is for him to have opened up this much, this fast, to Lucy. Especially under the circumstances. Something that we could feel, but is now basically confirmed.

That's the thing with Lucy. She cares so much and can see through most of his walls. Something that is palpable here when she wonders if rigging the competition is actually doing more harm than good. Which is a legitimate question. With everything she's witnessed, her skepticism is valid. But as Angela points out, at the end of the day, this is just a silly competition and if that makes him happy for a few hours, why not give him the win. Lucy may concede Angela's point, but she still stores this information - his love for competition - for later. And she will absolutely use that new-found knowledge. By making silly bets in order to help him regain parts of himself that got lost somewhere along the way, due to the job or Isabel's addiction. By playing paintball with him to help him unwind and just have fun. Because this is what Lucy does : she makes everyone feel better. But in the meantime, she plays along and observes. And I'd like to think that when Angela hugs her, it's not just to congratulate her...

#the rookie #chenford #lucy chen #tim bradford #chenfordedit #1.05 #Anatomy of a scene - Chenford Edition

[holly-benji]

CHENFORD 4X12 - THE LONGEST ANALYSIS IN HISTORY

Get ready because this one I'm about to write, will be the longest treatise in history. Finally, an episode in which the times are well distributed, where all the performers have their space, as it should be! I'll digress a little: I loved Nyla (even if I didn't understand how they decided to handle the pregnancy story - I want to know more right away), Lopez & Wes (I love the way Angela apostrophized that two-bit lawyer and the discussion about the management of their son - it reminded me of when they were arguing with the stopwatch), and then as an Italian to hear them recite even a few words in a fluent Italian, from Rome, really made me happy. But let's get to the point: LUCY AND TIM WENT TO THE APPOINTMENT. I will say first that they looked like two fiancés having dinner with a couple of friends (I see a very possible match between Chris and Ashley). Tim's body language said it all (how is it possible that Ashley resigned herself to Bradford's simple apology?). Tim was facing Lucy with his back to her most of the time, he talked to her and they had their own story to tell. One that made them laugh as they looked into each other's eyes, and one that the others could only participate in from afar. Lucy and Tim have an intimacy that goes beyond just friendship. And I'm amazed, again, at how Ashley fell for Tim's two sweet words in the last few scenes. Since there's so much meat on the fire, and you know I'm long-winded, I'm going to try to analyze everything by step, even the feelings going through Tim right now, since I've read a lot of complaints that the dinner could feel like any date between friends, and that this slow burn may never be ignited.

- THE SCENE AT THE BEACH:

this scene is good because we learn about other facets of Tim, and we get yet another confirmation of how Lucy knows him. I'd love to see the two of them have a day at the beach (maybe they'll delight us!), but I'd put the focus on the "hottest" line. Why would Tim need to reiterate this notion that he's a nice guy, etc., to Lucy? It occurred to me that this is not the first time (it also happened in 4x03 - a very handsome guy) and also in 4x11 when Tim asks Lucy why she is so interested in his love life. It's as if subconsciously Tim is asking Lucy for confirmation in a funny, teasing way. I've been looking for an explanation as to why he's acting this way and how they've handled Tim's feelings this season. While I agree with most of the audience that the writers have left too much ambiguity in some scenes, leaving us with the sole task of interpretation (and wasting precious time as well), it's plausible to believe that Tim is testing the waters, but every time he does it's as if Lucy dampens it by leading Tim to act one way rather than another. Let me explain. I believe that after the prank in 3x09, Tim started to question himself, because although that statement was to get Tim's consent to go UC for Lucy, it had a solid truthful basis. Like the fact that Tim worried that something might happen to her, and the fact therefore that he cared about her more than just a work partner. And it started to work its way into Tim's mind, there were moments for him to confirm (like in 3x14 - both the moment with Nova, and the moment at the wedding), and then 4x01. That's the point we need to get back to. This to me is the moment of complete fulfillment for Tim, but he knows Lucy would reject him (she already did in 3x09), so he doesn't say anything to her, doesn't address the situation. Moving on to episode 3, here Bradford recognizes that calling Lucy back as his partner might give rise to rumors (so this gains more and more confirmation in his head), but again Lucy blocks him. So she rejected him in 3x09, she rejected him here in 4x03 (bringing it down to business). And so Tim's reaction begins. It begins to dawn on his consciousness that perhaps he has misrepresented everything, and, he displaces these feelings as a continuation of the deep friendship between them, and continues undaunted to tell himself that they are just friends. To confirm this he needs someone to push away the feelings he has for Lucy, and so Ashley comes along. It's as if Tim is shying away from his feelings (even though he is aware of them he tries to move on, lying to himself that the two are just friends), and Lucy has to become aware of them again. A situation where Tim was in danger might lead her to reflect.

- ASHLEY AT THE STATION

First, I'd like to point out how Tim immediately asks why Lucy went from wanting to strangle someone the week before, and talking to them like nothing happened afterwards. It doesn't sound in any way like a jealous tantrum. YET. I wonder how he'll take the news that Lucy went out with Chris, on a real date this time. Next, Tim agrees to go on the date with Ashley to keep the point with Lucy, and his being a control freak. Tim hates doing this sort of thing. And I was reminded of the bet in 4x07. Remember how Lucy was supposed to get Tim to do something out of his comfort zone? Well, if the date had been just between the two of them she would have succeeded just fine, unlike Ashley, who is accommodated, as if he was doing her a favor and IGNORED for the entire evening. 

- ASHLEY'S CALL AND SANDFORD'S INVITATION

I'm sure Tim's unscheduled invitation will come back to bite him in future episodes. Still we have confirmation of how Tim purposely did to playfully "annoy" Lucy, and how he immediately thought of her as the person to invite. He knows what she likes (including that restaurant), and he wants to please her.

- DINNER

Where do I start? From her taking her mushroom pancake from his plate? From him letting her? (Again, Tim would never allow anyone to do that). Gerard's story, her knowing what he wanted to tell even before he started; the laughs, and the looks they gave each other. The fact that she also knows what Tim wants as a funeral ceremony. These are married without really being married! And through it all Ashley and Chris felt uncomfortable, because that chemistry would make anyone uncomfortable. Tim then sabotages everything with that comment about the restaurant and how fancy it is. Tim is all about the simple things.

- THE FINAL SCENES

To be with someone you don't have to change who you are. Tim acted like this because he felt guilty towards Ashley, for the affection he feels for her, but not because he is in love with her. A woman, should never settle for being anyone's second choice. Tim agreed to do something he never did because he was sorry about how dinner went. But even contacting the office to declare himself ill, he would never have done so even under torture. Tim does not have to change or even specify that he and Lucy are not partners, because they ARE! and it's so obvious, maybe he doesn't even realize it, but others should see it. And there is one person who would never change him. Lucy!As for Ashley, and what I was saying earlier. She bought what Tim told her, but she didn't ask herself the correct questions. She sees a duo, who have crazy chemistry, they finish each other's sentences. Chen gave HER dog to Bradford. How can she think she has Tim all for herself and that she might built something with him that will last?For the next few episodes, I think Tim is asking for a break from being his aide . Although from the promo it would seem that the reason is another. And he will break up with Ashley, it’s just a matter of time!For Chris and Lucy, it's a matter of time too, even if they went on a real date. As I said, I point everything on episode 16.I wrote a lot, and I apologize. If you have come this far, thank you, let me know what you think!

#chenford #therookie #the rookie

[anxiouslynumbme]

I rarely watch promos for any show, but the gifs found me and I had to. Now, for how things are going, it's not baiting. However, the fact that after these scenes we're getting, they'll leave us hanging with no more moments or build-up for a while. That's the baiting part. They should add something a little extra to confirm it, to erase all doubts. Something that says yes, they are most definitely going there someday. Like, when they're done dancing, Tim stares longingly after Lucy, then someone on the team (preferably, Angela) walks up to him and says something like: "Oh, what's that look?" "What?" Tim replies, distracted, still staring at Lucy across the room before turning to his friend. "Ah, Tim. You poor, poor thing," Angela says, shaking her head. "What are you talking about?" "Nothing." Angela covers her smile behind another sip of her glass. "You drunk already, Lopez?" Tim quirks an eyebrow. "Hardly." she studies him for a bit. "Huh. Maybe, it's a good thing you're this oblivious." "Yeah, I have no idea what you're going on about. Maybe, I should cut you off." "Try it, Bradford. I've been busting my ass all week. I need this." Angela smirks, grabbing Tim's arm. "Come on, pretty boy, let's dance. You look lonely without your partner." A cliché, I know, but you get it. Something to that effect, just to acknowledge the romance aspect of it all. We need those kinds of scenes because they move the whole thing forward, and they make us a promise that they have to keep. With how the show is going, I don't want them together now, but we need scenes, lots and lots of scenes where they explore various plots that will get them there, eventually. Watching that clip made me realize just how long it's actually been since we've seen Chenford together with a decent plot. And God, seeing those affectionate, fleeting looks they shared in that clip–they've hooked me. Especially, the looks from Tim. Dude's in love. I'm eating those crumbs right up, damn it! I'm in, I'm beyond excited, you win! But there obviously better be at least three other scenes, it's only logical. He was telling her she's a good cop in a way that implied that he was trying to apologize for something or clear up some kind of misunderstanding. I don't know, but things have to happen to lead up to that moment, and if it's not baiting, then it should continue down that road. Otherwise, just shut it down completely and make it clear that they will never happen. And as much as I'd miss it terribly, I hope next episode leads to Lucy not being his Aide anymore. It leaves so much room for so many storylines, and it needs to happen at some point, anyway. I've just finished watching 4×17, and I'm just really glad we finally got to see Lucy confront her trauma in some way, at least. It was an okay episode. Also, it's kinda weird that I'm writing a fic right now where Tim does cook for Lucy and they're being angsty, amongst. . .other things and they also talk about their feelings and stuff. So, it made me want to see Tim there instead of Chris even more. What a waste, yet again. Oh, well. They're gonna be dancing next episode, like, with each other, in the same vicinity, with arms and hands and looks and twirling! I know that, ultimately, it's probably going nowhere after that and that they will probably never mention it again, but I've missed them so much. I just want to see them together on screen, regardless of anything they may or may not be.

#I've watched that promo an embarrassing amount of times #the rookie #chenford #lucy chen #tim bradford #the rookie spoilers

[isisparker]

Candid

[The Rookie - Tim Bradford/Lucy Chen - Chenford fanfic]

word count: 3k a/n: first attempt at a Tucy/Chenford fanfic, so I apologize for mistakes and whatnot in advance! this was inspired by the latest episode as I wonder just how many humiliating pictures has Tim taken of Lucy and whether those are the only ones? also this takes place post- 2x12 “Now and Then” and, well, a bit canon divergence as have you...

~~

Therein -- according to Jackson -- a folder of incriminating pictures of Lucy on Tim Bradford’s phone. Confirmed by Lopez that such files of Bradford’s rookies exist, Lucy reasoned it is all Jackson’s fault that she’s sitting in a bar bathroom trying to find said folder of herself. A folder on her T.O’s phone that she... borrowed...

Or what happens when Lucy steals Tim’s phone, Jackson becomes a frustrated accomplice [and a good soundboard-slash-wingman], and Tim does what does best: taking unwitting pictures of Lucy Chen.

~~~

It was all Jackson’s fault.

No, really it was!

It was all Jackson’s fault that Lucy Chen had locked herself in a bar bathroom, hunting down an elusive folder that legend says majority of young, bright eyed cops lost countless sleep over: Officer Tim Bradford’s Incriminating Photos of His Rookies.

Hell, she would have laughed off the very mention of such a thing had fellow officer-slash-roommate Jackson West not open his stupid mouth and verified its existence. 

(Okay, to be fair, it all started because of a 488 and Lucy chasing the damn kid through a park where Surprise! a pie eating competition was being held and, well… after a spectacular header into the contestant table resulted in an arrest despite finding herself covered in meringue and whip cream, when her training officer held his phone up, gave his signature shit-eating smirk before saying “Geez, Chen, I’ll run out of space soon…”, which Jackson later speculated that Bradford probably kept a folder filled with Lucy-inspired exploits, and followed shortly by having Jackson’s own T.O., Angela Lopez, confirming that “Oh yeah! Bradford has folders of all his trainees’... uh… mishaps? Incidents?” “Humiliating moments?” “Your words, Boot, not mine.”; so you can imagine why her paranoia placed the entirety of this adventure all on her friend!)

Because let’s be real: no amount of sanity on her end would have resulted in talking a few unsuspecting colleagues into a night out at a relatively unknown (well, to everyone but Lucy, who had the foresight to check the area out) bar and pool hall, proceeding to needle her fellow rookies to distract her T.O., and then coming into possession of Tim’s phone (that she had discreetly, uh, borrowed from his person) in an attempt to break into-- no, wait, unlock it and save her future self from potential blackmail.

“Just say ‘deleting embarrassing photos,’ Luce.”

“Shut up, Jackson.”

“Hey! It wasn’t my idea for you to steal--”

“Borrow! I’m not keeping it. Just borrowing it…”

“Right…” She didn’t need to glance up at her friend to notice the disbelief oozing out of him. “It wasn’t my idea for you to ‘borrow’,” damn Jackson, she didn’t need to look up to feel his quotation marks, “his phone, just so you can delete the pictures he has of you. So why do I have to be your accomplice--”

“It’s not a crime to borrow a friend’s phone.”

“It is if he’s your T.O. and, oh yeah, he doesn’t know that you lifted it from him!”

Lucy waved her hand, “Schematics…” she murmured, trying to limit her attempts at his passcode lest she end up locking the phone for hours. She could feel Jackson’s eyes roll as she added, “And you’re not my accomplice. You’re my lookout. I just… need…” The distinct sound of a phone being unlocked briefly pierced the gender neutral bathroom that the pair of rookies were camped in, causing the young woman to do a soft congratulatory fist pump. “Aha! Got it!”

Another cellphone ping crisped the air, causing Jackson to make an inquired hum before emitting a small sound of distress.

Which meant that Lucy’s window of opportunity was closing faster than she anticipated.

“Luce,” Jackson started, “Nolan can’t keep Bradford preoccupied for long!”

Lucy’s eyes were focused on the cell screen, her fingers scrolling and tapping to find the folder that started this utterly insane journey. “Tim loves knocking Nolan down a peg or two. As long as Nolan keeps up the charade of losing, we have time!”

“But that was before Lopez and Harper cajoled them into involving money, Luce! Plus Harper is Nolan’s T.O! She’ll be able to sniff out his act faster than the other two!”

“Well then Nolan would be shitty at undercover work if he’s unable to keep his part up!” Lucy growled, “Just like you’re doing a horrible job at being my back-up! You’re supposed to keep quiet, communicate with Nolan, and let me find what I need to-- Oh my God, yes! I found it!” She felt Jackson jump immediately to her side, his curiosity gleaming out as strongly as her own.

Figuring on a longshot when she had seen a folder simply titled The Boots, inside of it produced multiple other folders labeled with various numbers that an ordinary citizen wouldn’t comprehend. But Lucy knew a badge ID when she saw one and quickly located her own as she scrolled through the column of numbers. Before she clicked on it to see just how many photos she’ll have to terminate, Lucy prayed that there wasn’t a lot of memory she’d have to delete, at least enough for Bradford to notice. Oh she figured on leaving a few (c’mon, her mama didn’t raise an idiot), but for her own dignity she hoped Tim didn’t gleefully capture that many embarrassing moments!

“Okay,” she breathed, adding a bit of levity, “let’s see exactly how sadistic my T.O. is…”

Lucy clicked on the folder… and blinked at it in shock.

One photo.

“What the--?” she gasped, staring at the single picture in her folder.

Jackson muttered a few curse words as he too stared at the folder’s content, knowing that they were in fact screwed.

The anxiety that had built up in Lucy’s stomach quickly twisted into dread as she took in the lone picture; an image of her uniformed T.O., one Tim Bradford, scowling and holding up a piece of paper that seemingly foretold what lied ahead beyond that bathroom door: BUSTED.

“Goddamn it!” Lucy groaned, slumping backwards until her head hit the stall with a defeated thud.

Jackson’s phone pinged a text message and Lucy didn’t need to glance over to know who sent it nor what it said. Her friend’s pale reaction spoke volumes.

“How screwed are we?” she asked, closing her eyes and truly not looking forward to all the burpees that man out there will be barking at her for the foreseeable future.

“We?” Jackson gasped, astonished, “Oh, Luce, there is no ‘we’ involved in this half-baked plan you concocted--”

“Hey--” she sat up, eyes blazing to defend herself only to shut her mouth over his continued tirade.

“--because of your desperate need to prove that your superior officer is either that big of an asshole to collect incriminating photos like trading cards…”

Yeah, if her eyes were lit to defend herself, they were definitely ablaze at the mere mention of her partner. “Tim is not--”she started to growl, only to still be bulldozed by her friend.

“--or, depending on how many photos he has of you, has some sort of underlying feelings beyond the professional that you may or may not be feeling yourself!”

“I… uh… What?!” Lucy felt sufficiently gobsmacked by Jackson’s words. She quickly picked up her jaw, lest she keep it open in surprise. Where the hell did that come from?! She even managed  to utter her bafflement as much.

Jackson crossed his arms and leveled her with a look that was a mix between bemusement and pity. “Three words: Sad, Drunk Lucy.” 

Lucy blinked up at him, genuinely confused save for the gnawing piece of her gut that says there is truth to his words. “Jackson, I…”

Jackson’s phone thrilled, interrupting whatever excuse seemed to want to slip from Lucy’s mouth. She had never been more grateful for it, especially as he reacted to whomever was on the other end, giving tense responses to them until he hung up. He regarded Lucy, more resigned than anything. “That was Lopez. She talked Tim into giving you a five minute reprieve before he barged in here demanding his phone back. She suggests we take it.”

“We?” Lucy echoed his reply, this time with mirth versus his own frustration. She looked down at Tim’s phone, fiddling with it nervously. “She called to save your ass, West. I think you should take it and leave me to my punishment.” Lucy heard Jackson’s steps reluctantly head towards the door. Her mind was already shuffling through various thoughts before she realized that the heavy sigh she heard wasn’t her own but from Jackson. She looked up, surprised to see him with his back resolutely against the door. He had his head tilt, curious, as he said, “You didn’t know.”

“Know what, Jackson?”

With a small smile, “That Tim Bradford and his -- quote -- ‘frustrating smirk that I don’t know whether to kiss or smack off his handsome face’ was the cause of Sad, Drunk Lucy.”

Lucy felt herself flush and knew immediately that the crush she had for her T.O., the man that had not too long ago literally pulled her up and out from a grave into light, wasn’t hidden quite as much as she had thought. Oh her mother would have a field day that she was susceptible to the Savior Complex!

She nodded her head sadly, “I was… slightly… aware of my crush on Bradford.” Lucy gave her friend a determined look, “It’s just a small thing, Jackson. Unrequited and easily managed.”

When Jackson snorted at her last few words, she narrowed her gaze and implored for an explanation. The man shook his own head, refusing to utter another word. Lucy stood up, about to demand for him to explain himself when Jackson gripped the door knob and said, “I’m going to do you a favor, Luce, and buy you some more time.”

Confused, “What? More time? For what?”

“To look for your folder.”

Lucy scoffed, holding up Tim’s phone. “But there is no folder, remember? This was yet another one of his stupid Tim Bradford tests! One that I failed, by the way!”

Jackson gave her a knowing look, “Lopez said that she saw it. But that it’s not what you think it is.” He opened the door slightly and proceeded to set the lock before he turned and added, “I can probably hold him back for another five minutes, Luce, but then I’m afraid he’ll end up kicking the door down.” He winked, “Good luck,” before disappearing from her sight.

What? The folder wasn’t what she thought it was? What was she to make of that?!

Lucy scrolled through the folders in The Boots, nodding as she concluded that she wasn’t mistaking them for other than badge numbers-- Wait a sec… She paused at a sequence that screamed out in haunting familiarity.

12919

Her hand unconsciously ghosted over a spot on the lower left side of her body. No. No... He wouldn’t. There is no way he’d use those numbers! No way that he’d use that particular date as a label to a folder of her most humiliating moments on the job! Tim wouldn’t be so cruel!

Lucy’s hands shook as she opened the folder, only to find to her dismay that it was indeed filled with pictures of her! She perused through, noting all the various moments of hilarity at her expense, and trying her best to remain calm and refrain from wanting to kick her T.O’s ass! Oh, she really didn’t need an extra five minutes, especially with her sudden urge to punch Tim’s face, no matter how infuriatingly handsome he is!

She intended to close the folder, the desire to verbally assault Bradford so strong, when her eyes caught a few abnormalities to her supposed gallery of shame. One was the photo they took at the hospital with the young boy that those two Instagramers had harangued. Another photo was of the two of them when Tim had gotten his commendation. There were a few more group pics scattered throughout and with the common trait being of the two of them sitting or standing next to each other.

And then there were the pictures that Lucy wasn’t aware had been taken of her! Some of them were taken in their shop, angled almost as if he had taken his phone from his pocket and took it with ninja-like discretion. Lucy noted that she was mostly gazing out the window in those pictures. A few had the light of the California sun emit a soft glow to her profile. Another batch of those had the shadows of the night sky cast around but never swallowing her. There was one that was taken while she was studying up on codes in the break room. A hard look of concentration with a hint of quirkiness when she had a pencil dangling from her lips. One picture had her talking with Nolan before roll call, her eyes sparkled as she was caught mid-laugh. Another picture was taken while they had answered a call near an animal shelter. Lucy couldn’t believe her luck when she talked Tim into letting her take a minute to look in on the canines! She must have been so enamored with the little creatures that her partner snuck a photo of her joy while she was cooing at one of the fur babies. On and on the different shots of her ranged; beyond the laughable moments to more delicate and lovely candids. Photos that exposed her in such a soft and unflinchingly human light that Lucy couldn’t help but feel her eyes water as she looked through them.

Lucy would have gotten lost staring at all these pictures had she not stumbled on a picture of herself in the hospital bed after one of the most traumatic experiences of her life. Or at least she assumed it was of her after the event, for the picture itself wasn’t a full body profile but merely a prominent shot of her hospital admittance band wrapped around her wrist. She held her gaze on the band, wondering why, of all things, it compelled Tim to focus on that particular shot.

Her eyes bounced back to the date featured on her folder and Tim’s voice weaved through her stream of thoughts. She remembered them to the point it became a mantra she buried within her heart.

“It wasn’t your day of death, Officer Chen. It was the first day of the rest of your life…”

Lucy mused on that, wondering… maybe even hoping? But hoping for what? Would she really, honestly, want what a piece of her heart is denying for fear of losing so much? She could stop. Just chalk it up to her T.O. having a secretive photography skill. Nothing more to ponder on. She really could stop despite the gallery of evidence literally in the palm of her hand. But Lucy couldn’t help but speculate if Tim himself saw that date not as a reminder of trauma but of feelings that was, maybe? possibly? born from that incident.

And boy did that thought take her breath away!

A little giddy at the idea that her feelings weren’t unrequited afterall, Lucy nearly missed the two harsh raps against the bathroom door. She, however, didn’t miss the bark of said man of current adoration as he called for her attention.

“I won’t hesitate to kick this door down, Boot, if you don’t get your ass out here! Now, Chen!”

Oh shit, she thought as she knew that he truly would cause such damage. She exited out of the photo app and swiftly shut his phone down. She quickened a glance at herself in the mirror, realized that she was presentable enough, and scrambled towards the door just as she heard him growl a countdown.

“--4, 3, 2…”

She swung the door open, looking up at him with her most dazzling smile. With the knowledge that she had gained, she wasn’t at all intimidated by his imposing scowl as he towered over her smaller frame. “Hi!” she squeaked, and wincing a bit at that sound. Okay so maybe he still instilled a bit of fear despite the fact that she knew how truly soft he was towards her.

Tim had one hand braced against the door frame while his other was on his hip as he leaned a little closer to her. His eyes darted up and down her person and she knew it was his way of making sure that she was physically fine. When he seemed okay with his assessment, his eyes pierced into her own and, well, Lucy tried her best to not look as guilty as she felt.

But there was a reason Tim was amazing at his job. “Chen…” he started, narrowing his eyes and holding his hand up, palm out. “My phone.”

Lucy was torn between acting petulant and feigning ignorance or just outright owning up to her misdeed. As she found herself in a staring contest with her seasoned colleague, Lucy realized that she had a better chance at coming out unscathed if she were honest versus dishonesty, no matter how playful an act she could put on. With a cheeky grin that she knew he found both infuriating and amusing, she pulled his phone from her back pocket and handed it over, and said, “Here you go… sir.” She hadn’t meant to add the address, nor meant to make it sound as sultry as she did if she had to go by his eyes briefly widening before becoming predatory.

He pocketed his phone but kept his gaze solely on her. The calculating look he had made her squirm and wow, she was in trouble, wasn’t she?

And because he knew her so well, Tim allowed a small smirk to slowly grace his face as he said, “You’re trouble.”

Lucy blinked, thinking she misheard him. She was about to voice as such before Tim shook his head, leaned in closer and clarified, “You heard me just fine, Officer Chen.”

She will utterly deny it to Jackson, goddamn it, that a small shiver fell through her when Tim used his authoritative voice on her. Just as she will deny the effect he had as he pulled back and grinned openly at her when he added, “Hope those photos were worth it. I know they are.”

Lucy gaped at his bravado, her mind racing as to how to properly respond to Tim openly candid with her. Before she could form a cohesive response, a flash nearly blinded… Oh no, he did not!

“Yep,” Tim smiled at his phone, already saving it into its designated Lucy folder, “That’s going into the Favorites.” He turned to head back towards the pool hall, but not before glancing back at his partner with a genuinely soft smile as he asked, “You coming, Lucy?”

Oh yeah, Lucy grinned, this was all Jackson’s fault, and she couldn’t be happier for it!

~fin~

#the rookie #chenford #tucy #tim bradford #lucy chen #my fanfic #tim x lucy #chen x bradford #otp: you know me so well #lookie i was finally inspired to fanfic! #i hope i did right by the fandom!

[theflyindutchwoman]

I am curious, when do you think Lucy realized Tim had feelings for her?

That's hard to say! You know, for someone who seems to share a lot, Lucy can be very guarded with her feelings… leaving the door wide open for very different interpretations.

I think her 'confession' to Tim in 5.08 gives us some clues in that regard. Specifically this part right here : If we do this and it doesn't work, I'll have ruined the most important relationship in my life. […] So we should just keep going the way we have been, right?. The fact that she doesn't even hesitate in using the pronoun 'we' makes me believe that she is past questioning his feelings for her… Even after his ambiguous "you're right", she simply takes it as his way of agreeing with her that they should maintain the status quo. But at no point during this conversation does she seem to doubt that he has feelings for her. Their extent? Yes. Hence her saying "I'll have ruined the most important relationship in my life" and not 'we'. But that he has feelings for her? No. The only time she looks surprised is when he tells her they're worth the risk. It's even more striking once we compare this statement to how she fake-confessed her feelings for Tim back in 3.09 : "I have feelings for you". I know she was trolling him but her choice of words during the whole speech is very different… and telling.

So when did she figure it out? My guess would be during their undercover op, in 5.01. She may have had some inklings here and there before that - that actually was a part of her fake-confession, though I'm not sure she was really serious since she was simply trying to make a point… even if she wasn't wrong… But I think that when Tim tried to address what was happening between them in Vegas, that's truly when she realised that he might have feelings for her. I think she misinterpreted him at first, and once she saw his disappointed face, she started to piece the puzzle together. Only they got interrupted by Angela's call and the bad guys… So all of this took a backseat. I believe that's why she was bold enough to invite him in when he was walking her home. By that point, she knew that he was at the very least attracted to her. The fact that he came in, after saying he shouldn't, pretty much confirmed it for her : she knows Tim, she knows his character. He wouldn't have crossed that line if he didn't have some feelings for her. They both understood what him coming in meant… What they didn't know is if the other wanted to explore these feelings even further. And unfortunately, they didn't get to that part, courtesy of Rosalind. It went downhill fast afterwards.

So when Tim told her it was time to move on, she was even more confused and she probably interpreted this as his way of telling her they weren't worth the risk. That she wasn't worth the risk. This scene felt so much like a breakup and I imagine this is how she took it. Even though they weren't together. It's not until Tim tells her that she deserves to be with "someone who's worth the effort" that she gets the last confirmation she needs… The way he shies away after saying this, as if he has just divulged too much… All the while, she is watching him, trying to figure him out. It's a moment that stuck out for me. But like I said, this is really open to interpretation :)

#ask & ye shall receive #the rookie #chenford #lucy chen #tim bradford