Chapter Text
Mid Wilshire Precinct, 2025
She was sitting in an interrogation room. It was the next morning. She’d stayed in the apartment by herself last night. Celina hadn’t been able to stay because of protocol, and Lucy felt bad, but there wasn’t much she could do. Tamara was physically fine.
Now Lucy was back in the interrogation room, waiting for IA to arrive and start their questioning. Seth hadn’t survived the bullet wound.
The door opened, and Nolan walked in. He sat down across from her. As her union rep, he was allowed to be with her during questioning.
“How are you doing? Get any sleep?” Nolan asked gently, watching her fidget with her necklace.
“I don’t think it’s fully hit me,” Lucy said, her voice quiet.
“You haven’t killed anyone before, have you?” Nolan asked, his tone soft.
“A handful of shootings,” she said. “But they all survived.”
He nodded. “Does it get easier? You know—the pain and the grief?” she asked, thinking about what he’d been through during his rookie year.
Nolan sighed. “To be completely honest? I still think about it. Even though he was a criminal, he was still a person. Seth had a gun to Tamara’s head, Lucy. You did what you had to do. But he was still a person.”
Before she could reply, the door opened again. Lieutenant Grey and Commander West entered.
“Sergeant Chen,” West said, his voice calm but serious. “Good to see you. Wish it was under better circumstances.”
“Me too, sir,” Lucy replied.
“Okay, let’s get started.” West settled into the seat Nolan had vacated, opening a folder and scanning his notes. “Tell me what happened on the night in question.”
Lucy took a deep breath. She told them everything—from being at Venice Beach and getting the call from Tamara, to hearing Seth in the background, to arriving at the apartment. She described the moment she entered and saw Seth with the gun pressed against Tamara’s head.
She paused, swallowing hard. “He started to twitch his hand. He was getting ready to shoot. I didn’t have time to do anything else. I fired.”
Grey gave her a steady, understanding look. West nodded gravely. “We’ll review the evidence—bodycam, statements from other officers, the scene itself. But from what you’ve said, it sounds like you did what was necessary to save a life.”
Lucy sat there, her heart heavy but her resolve firm. She knew she’d done the right thing. But the weight of it would stay with her, no matter what.
West leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable for a moment. “Lucy, I know this is hard. But everything you’ve described is consistent with your training and the threat you faced. Tamara is alive because of what you did.”
Lucy stared at her hands, flexing her fingers as if trying to convince herself of the same. “It’s just… I keep seeing his face. The way he looked at me when I pulled the trigger. I know I did what I had to, but I—”
Grey’s voice cut in, calm but firm. “Sergeant Chen, you’re not alone in this. You had to make a split-second decision to save Tamara’s life—and your own. You did what any trained officer would do.”
Nolan put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You didn’t fail anyone. You didn’t want this to happen. But it was Seth’s choices that put all of you in danger.”
Lucy nodded, though her eyes were still wet. “It’s just… hard to turn off the ‘what ifs.’”
Grey exchanged a look with West, then leaned forward. “Lucy, we’re going to handle this by the book. We’ll get statements from everyone involved, including Tamara and the other officers. We’ll review the bodycam footage. But from where I’m sitting, I’m confident you acted within policy.”
West added, “We’ll also make sure you have access to counseling and any resources you need to process this. We want you healthy and ready to do your job.”
Lucy swallowed hard and nodded. “Thank you.”
Grey’s face softened. “Take the time you need. We’ll finish the paperwork today. Nolan will stay with you, and we’ll coordinate to make sure you’re supported.”
“Thank you, sir,” Lucy repeated, her voice steadier this time.
West stood up, giving her a small nod. “We’ll talk again soon, Sergeant.”
Grey gave her a warm, fatherly pat on the shoulder before he followed West out the door.
Nolan stayed behind for a moment, looking at her with quiet understanding. “I know it feels like the world is crashing down, but you’re not alone, okay? We’ve all got your back.”
Lucy managed a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, Nolan.”
“Anytime.”
As he left the room, she let out a shaky breath. She’d done what she had to do, and she’d have to live with that. But at least she didn’t have to live with it alone.
***
St. Stephen’s
Angela walked back into Tim’s hospital room with her phone still in her hand. Tamara’s eyes darted up first, worry etched into her face.
“Any updates on Lucy?” Tamara asked, her voice low but urgent.
Ty and Brian both shifted slightly, though their attention was divided between Angela and Tim—still in his coma but breathing on his own. The doctors weren’t overly concerned yet; it hadn’t even been 24 hours.
Angela took a breath, steadying herself. “She’s been questioned by IA. They’re reviewing statements, the scene, and body cam footage. From what I’ve been told, it was a clean shot. She did everything by the book.”
Tamara nodded, relief mixed with lingering worry.
“Any movement?” Angela asked, glancing toward Tim’s still form.
Brian answered softly, “A hand squeeze here and there, but that’s it so far.” He seemed to sense Ty’s growing anxiety and rested a hand on his thigh, offering silent support.
Angela gave them both a small, reassuring nod. “Lucy’s strong. She’s going to be okay. And Tim will wake up soon. We’re all going to get through this.”
Tamara nodded slowly, though her eyes stayed clouded with worry. “I just… I wish I could see her. I know she’s probably okay, but it’s hard not knowing what’s going on in her head.”
Angela’s voice softened. “I know. She’s tough, but that doesn’t mean she’s not feeling it. She’ll talk when she’s ready, Tamara. She always does.”
Ty cleared his throat. “We should all be there for her when she comes back. No matter what happened in that room, she saved your life.”
Tamara’s eyes shone, but she blinked quickly, trying to fight the tears. “I know. I’m just… I’m scared for her too.”
Brian leaned forward, his tone gentle. “Lucy knows what she signed up for. But you’re right. It’s hard on all of us, especially after something like that. She’ll need time, and she’ll need us.”
Angela reached over and squeezed Tamara’s shoulder. “We’ll get her through it,” she promised.
They all fell silent for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts—about Lucy, about Tim, about everything that had happened and what might still come.
Finally, Angela said, “I’ll check in with Nolan again later. If there’s any update—anything at all—I’ll let you know right away.”
Tamara nodded, and Ty gave her a supportive smile.
In the corner, the monitor’s steady beep continued—Tim’s heartbeat was strong and steady.
They all hoped that soon, Lucy would be just as steady on her feet.
It had been a couple of hours since Angela’s last update, and the weight of worry in the room felt like it might crush them. Tamara had dozed off in the chair, her head resting on her crossed arms, while Ty and Brian sat quietly, each lost in thought. Angela paced near the window, phone in hand, hoping for news from Nolan about Lucy.
The room was quiet except for the steady rhythm of the monitor.
Then, a low groan—so faint at first that Ty almost missed it. He snapped his head toward the bed.
“Tim?” Ty leaned forward, eyes wide.
Brian was already on his feet. “Tim?”
Angela turned, her heart in her throat.
Tim’s eyelids fluttered, his breathing ragged as he tried to focus. His lips moved, forming a word none of them could quite catch. Then, with another groan, he opened his eyes.
“Hey,” Brian said gently, leaning closer. “Hey, buddy. You’re okay. You’re safe.”
Tim blinked at him, his expression confused. His eyes moved around the room—Ty, Angela, Tamara—before landing on Brian again.
“Wha… what happened?” Tim croaked, his voice hoarse.
Brian’s face crumpled with relief. “You’re in the hospital. You were shot, but you’re gonna be okay.”
Tim’s eyes closed again, but only for a second before they opened with a bit more focus. “Lucy?” he whispered.
Angela moved closer. “She’s okay. She had to do something tough, but she’s fine. We’ll tell you everything later, okay? Just rest now.”
Tim’s chest rose and fell with a deep, shaky breath. A single tear slid down his cheek.
Tamara, now fully awake, stood and leaned forward, her eyes full of gratitude. “We’ve got you, Tim,” she said softly. “Just focus on getting better.”
Tim’s eyes moved from face to face, his gaze finally resting on Angela. “Thank you,” he whispered, and his voice was so small that Angela had to lean in to hear him.
“Hey,” Angela said gently, brushing a tear from her own cheek. “You’d do the same for us.”
In that moment, the worry that had been pressing down on all of them seemed to lift just a little. Tim was awake. And they were all together.
Now, it was Lucy’s turn to come back to them.
***
Mid Wilshire Precinct
She was sitting in the roll call room, trying to keep her mind off the impending decision that would shape her future. Her phone was dead by now—she’d spent most of the day reading her book on her phone, tapping through the pages with shaky hands and eyes that couldn’t quite focus.
Minutes passed, each one feeling longer than the last.
Then the door opened, and without her noticing right away, Grey walked in and set her gun and badge down in front of her. Protocol had required them to be taken after the shooting.
She looked up at Lieutenant Grey, who leaned against the table with a knowing look.
“You teasing me or something?” she asked, a wry edge to her voice.
Grey cracked a small smile. “No. Lucy—it was a clean shot. Any officer in your place would have done the same thing. So… you’re cleared.”
She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding all day. Her hands trembled just slightly as they reached for her badge, relief washing over her.
“Thanks, sir,” she whispered.
Grey gave her a firm nod. “Take a day if you need it, Chen. But when you’re ready—your team’s waiting for you.”
She was still holding her badge when Grey cleared his throat. “You need a ride to the hospital?” he asked.
She blinked at him, confused. “Why—why would I need a ride to the hospital?”
Grey’s smile softened. “Chen… Tim woke up.”
Her heart skipped a beat, confusion turning into a flood of relief. “Wait—he’s awake?”
Grey nodded. “He’s asking for you.”