Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Stars shining bright above you.”

Bang

“Night breeze seems to whisper, I love you.”

Bang

“Birds singing in the sycamore trees.”

Bang

“Dream a little dream of me.”

Bang. 

Lucy looked at the camera filming her, she couldn’t take its taunting anymore. Its blinking light was like a countdown to her death. She realized at this point no one was coming.

“Let me out,” she cried as she banged her fist against the side. A primal rage built up inside her that she couldn’t keep in any longer. “LET ME OUUUUTTTT!!!!!” shrilled as she threw herself upwards hitting the top of the barrel.

Lucy shot up in her bed, letting out a half scream, half gasp. She breathed heavily and looked around at her surroundings. She was in bed in her apartment. She had been found, she had been saved, she was safe. 

She rubbed her hand against her forehead and then through her sweat ridden hair as she looked down at her lap, trying to calm herself down.

“Lucy,” Jackson called out while knocking on her door. “You okay in there?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just woke up.” 

“Well, we need to get going soon. My waze app says traffic is rough right now.”

“Okay,” said Lucy. She threw herself back onto her bed and groaned. Today was going to be a long day.

-

“Chen!” She startled out of her daze against her window and turned to look at Tim who was driving. 

“Sorry, what did you say?” She asked as he shook his head at her.

“What color was that truck that passed us, boot?”

“Uhh…” she thought quickly. She didn’t notice a truck so she blurted out one of the most common truck colors. “Gray.”

“Trick question, no truck passed us.”

“Damn it,” Lucy mumbled to herself.

“You’ve been out of it all morning. As cops it’s important to pay attention to our surroundings and be alert at all times, no matter what. Cause when you don’t pay attention, bad things will happen to you.”

“What, like getting drugged and kidnapped?” She snapped. She paused and turned her head sharply, making eye contact with Tim when she realized what she had said.

“I’m sorry—”

“No,” Tim responded quickly. “I’m… I’m sorry.” He looked forward and sighed. “I didn’t mean to imply that. The point is… you need to… Look, There’s no way for me to say this in a way that doesn’t make me sound like a victim blaming asshole, so just be on alert, okay?”

“Yes sir,” she said, voice timid. 

Tim gazed at her as she looked down, then turned back to the road.“How are you doing?” He asked sincerely, causing Lucy to look back up at him. “Like really doing?”

“Fine,” she sighed, turning to face forward. “I guess.”

“Is the therapy helping?” 

“Yeah, but I thought you didn’t believe in therapy?”

“I don't, but you do.”

“Is there a reason why you are asking all these questions?” 

Tim sighed,“Look it’s been barely two months since the… incident, and you’ve only been back a few weeks. At this point in your training and after everything, it’s my job as your TO to look for any bumps in the road that might interfere with you crossing the finish line and help you overcome them so you don’t wash out. Because at this point you've been through too much to deserve that outcome.” 

Lucy looked at him in awe at his statement. The TO who once tried to do everything possible to make her wash out, now wants to do everything possible to make sure she stays. 

“So, Boot, tell me. What’s really going on? How are you really doing?”

Before she could answer, the radio crackled to life. “7-Lincoln-7, I need help, I just got attacked by a crazed drug addict, he got away, I need an RA and back up.”

Lucy picked up the radio to respond but then the radio crackled to life again.

“7-Adam-16 I have situation going down at Mid-Wilsher elementary, there’s kids and teachers running everywhere! I need back up, now!”

Lucy looked to Tim who nodded at her to take the new call instead, but before she could respond, she was interrupted again.

“7-Adam-14, my partner is down, they got bit in the neck by a homeless person. I need an RA unit now! They’re having a seizure. Oh god! Steve, What are you….STOP, AHHHHH–” 

The radio cut off as the officer screamed out.

“Tim.” Lucy turned to look at him, eyes wide in question. 

His looked pale as more and more calls came in over lapping each other to the point neither could hear dispatch.

“7-Mary-12, I need help! We have mass casualties!”

“That’s North Hollywood,” said Lucy, hearing the call sign.

“What the hell is going on?” Concern, taking over Tim’s tone. 

“Who do we respond to?” asked Lucy. Tim took the radio from her and tried to figure out what to do. “Tim, look!” 

He looked up and saw a woman get tackled to the ground by what looked like her boyfriend. 

“7-Adam-19 requesting back up for a domestic,” he rattled off their location and pulled over. They raced out with their guns drawn towards the couple.

“LAPD! Put your hands up!” Tim yelled. 

The man didn’t listen, so Tim ran in and tackled the guy. Lucy watched as he struggled to wrestle the man who kept trying to bite him. Lucy moved to help him but Tim stopped her. 

“Don’t help me, help her!” 

Lucy immediately went to the woman and helped her up. She had a dazed look on her face as she held her hand to the neck where the man had bit her.

“Are you okay?” Lucy asked the woman.

“No, my boyfriend just attacked me out of nowhere. And before you ask, no he’s never done anything like this before.” 

“Okay,” Lucy said, glancing back at Tim, who finally had the man restrained and in cuffs. Lucy got a good look at the man. His skin was pale, mixed with gray and yellow, his eyes were sunken in and blood shot along with all his veins popped out. She and Tim exchanged a worried look before she turned back to the woman. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” She guided the woman back to the shop. Lucy helped her sit in the back at the edge of the seat. “I’m gonna get you some gauze to hold against your neck.”

The woman nodded. Lucy noticed she started to look pale. She opened the back of the shop and dug through her war bag until she got the gauze out. She went around to help the woman when she noticed she was slumped over. 

“Ma’am?” Lucy questioned as she reached forward to shake her shoulders. But, as soon as she touched her, the woman lunged at her. Lucy barely kept her back as she started trashing her mouth at her. Lucy hit the open back door, as she tried to shove the woman back. She slid around the edge of the door, before being slammed into the closed driver’s side door and was met with a sharp pop in her shoulder.

“TIM!!” Lucy screamed. 

Tim looked up to see the woman now attacking Lucy and raced towards them. He saw Lucy doing her best to keep the woman back, but no matter what she did, it had no effect on the woman. Lucy got pushed around the shop and then landed on the ground, hard.

“Freeze! Let go of her, NOW!” demanded Tim as he raised his taser. The woman looked towards him and ran towards her new victim. Tim deployed his taser, but it had no effect. He pulled out his gun and jumped back, but she was still advancing quickly and he had no choice, he fired two shots.

BANG

BANG

They hit her square in the chest, but it still didn't affect her. Then, just before she could attack him, he fired again.

BANG  

This time, he fired a fatal blow to her head, causing her to drop to the ground. Tim backed up stunned as the blood pooled around his feet. He was in complete shock. His whole career flashed before his eyes. He had just shot an unarmed woman in the head. He could forget about being sergeant, he was gonna be on desk duty for life. That is, if he didn’t end up in jail first. Then he looked up at Lucy. She had a shocked expression on her face too. Then he remembered the women had been attacking her. He ran up to her not caring about anything else as he knelt by her side.

“Are you okay?” he asked. 

“Tim…you just killed her,” she said with a blank expression.

“Never mind that, did you get hurt?” 

“I think I dislocated my shoulder.” 

As Tim went to help her up, she let out a loud yelp in pain. She collapsed against him and clutched her side. Tim looked and noticed she had broken glass sticking out just above her hip. “Looks like you landed on a broken bottle as well.” 

“Great,” mumbled Lucy. 

Just then, two shops pulled up with lights and sirens. He saw Angela and Jackson get out, followed by Nyla and Nolan. 

“What happened?” Nyla asked as all four ran towards them. Tim handed off Lucy to Jackson and Nolan. 

“I don’t know. We saw some guy attacking his girlfriend and when Lucy brought over the victim to help her, she attacked Lucy. Then she came after me. I tried to stop her, but I had no choice.” Tim paused before continuing, “I shot her.”

The group looked over at the woman’s body who was surrounded by a pool of blood. Then they looked over at the boyfriend who was still handcuffed and thrashing around on the ground, snarling.

“Tim,” Angela stated sympathetically.  

“I tried to taser her, but she didn't react. I shot her twice in the chest, and still nothing. I had no choice.” 

Angela shook her head, trying to school her expression. “I would say wait till Grey gets here, but the radios are overwhelmed with similar calls to this. Plus there are no available RAs.”

“God, what the hell is going on?” Exasperated Nyla as she looked over the scene. “Is this a new batch of drugs?!” 

Before anyone could say anything, two military jets flew low overhead. The group watched in horror as the jets fired and a massive explosion erupted from a few streets over. Within seconds, people started running and screaming in their direction. 

Angela turned to Tim with a grave look on her face. “You gotta get Lucy outta here.”

“What!? No! We’re not leaving you guys,” Lucy cried out as she made an attempt to move, but stumbled, only for Jackson to catch her before she could fall. 

“No, you're in no shape to fight and there’s no available RA, Tim, you gotta take her to a hospital, now!” Angela insisted, staring him down.

“Ang-” Tim protested.

“I can take her,” Nolan offered. 

“No, you're staying out with me, boot.” Nyla said before turning to Tim, watching as more and more people started rushing into their area. “Tim, there is no time to argue, Angela is right, you have to take her.” 

Tim looked at Nyla and Angela, then back at Lucy. He gave a slight shake of his head before moving to take Lucy from Jackson and Nolan. Whatever was happening there was no time for goodbyes.

“Stay safe,” Lucy told her two friends as Tim took hold of her again.

“We will, and you too,” Jackson said, giving her shoulder a pat before moving to join Angela. 

Nolan gave Lucy a soft smile, then flashed Tim a glare before going to Nyla. Tim got Lucy into the shop and shut the door. He rounded the front, but before he got in he looked at Angela. Nyla had already taken off with the other rookies.

“I will be back as soon as I can.” He promised her. 

Angela smiled a cheeky grin at him,“You better, Bradford.” 

Then he got in the shop and took off. 

As they made their way out onto the main roads, Tim blared his lights and sirens, but it almost didn’t matter. People were running everywhere. He tried to make it through without hitting someone, but it was nearly impossible in the uncontrolled chaos. Everywhere he looked he saw people getting run over, thrown, shot… eaten. 

He looked at Lucy who was sitting there wide eyed, clutching her side. He was worried about how this would affect her. Given her recent trauma, he didn’t want to make it worse. 

“Close your eyes,” he ordered.

“I can handle it.” 

Seconds later, they watched as a car drove into a gas station and hit a pump, causing the whole thing to erupt in a ball of fire. A man burning alive emerged from the flames, seemingly unaware he was on fire. They watched in horror as he ran and attacked another man. The burning man ripped the other man’s guts out, while his victim let out blood curdling screams that both know will never leave them.

“Tim,” Lucy’s voice trembled in horror.  

“Close your eyes, boot! Now! That’s an order!” 

And with that Lucy closed her eyes as tight as she could. 

Tim drove through the nightmare in front of him, losing count of how many people he saw attacking and eating each other. He wondered for a bit if he fell asleep watching one of those zombie movies again. He prayed he did, but this felt all too real. 

-

When they finally, somehow, managed to get outside of the city, Tim was finally able to pull over. He had decided against taking Lucy to a hospital in the city, knowing at this rate it would just be going into the wall of the storm. He circled around and went to the back of the shop and pulled out some gauze, tape, and an alcohol wipe. With all the necessary items in hand, he went to the passenger door and opened it. Lucy turned her head to look at him.

“I’m gonna clean it out, okay?” She nodded and rolled up her shirt.

Tim pulled out all the little pieces of glass, carefully. “You're gonna need stitches, but you won’t bleed out.” 

“What hospital are we going to?” she asked, realizing how far out they were. 

“I don’t know. Some place far from the city, that’s for sure.” he took out the alcohol wipe. “This may sting a bit, but it will help in the meantime.” 

Lucy hummed in acknowledgement. He placed it on her wound and she let out a hiss. 

“Sorry,” he apologized, dabbing it, softly. Tim placed the gauze on the wound and taped it to her skin. After he was done, he stood up and Lucy rolled down her shirt. “I’m gonna try and radio someone, see if anyone knows what’s going on. You stay here.” 

“Okay,” sighed Lucy.

He had turned off the radio since it was nothing but calls overlapping one another, so they had not heard from anyone in awhile. He closed the door, leaving the windows down so she could get some air. He walked away from the shop and to the other side of the road. They were in the middle of nowhere so he wasn't worried about anyone coming. He took out his radio and spoke. “This is 7-Adam-19, does anyone copy?” 

Static.  

He tried again. “This is 7-Adam-19, does any one copy?” 

More Static.  

He let out a sigh and tried one more time. “This is Officer Tim Bradford, does any one copy?” 

He began to lose hope as more static came through and then a crackle and a familiar voice boomed through.

“Officer Bradford?” he heard. 

Tim sighed in relief. “Sergeant Grey, thank God.” 

“Officer Bradford, where are you?”

“About fifteen miles up in the hills. I have Lucy with me.”

“Are you two okay?”

“Yes, Lucy was injured, but other than that, we’re okay.”

“What kind of injured? Did a sick person bite her?!” Grey asked, as a worried tone took over. 

“If you mean one of the crazed people right now, no. A woman who was affected by whatever this is did attacked her. But all that happened was a dislocated shoulder and a cut from landing on a beer bottle. The woman didn’t bite her,” Tim replied.  

Grey let out a breath, “Good, that’s good to hear.”

”What is going on anyways? It feels like the zombie apocalypse.”

”Well, I hate to say it, but you’re pretty much right. Someone get’s bitten and then they turn into a blood thirsty monster.” 

Tim felt his stomach sink to his feet. There was no way this was real. This all had to be a dream. But he knew deep down inside, he was too awake for this to all be a dream. But some how, some way, what was once a fantasy was now a reality. Tim shook his head before he spoke again.

“Listen, I’m gonna get Lucy to a hospital and then I’m gonna come back.”

“No!” Grey responded sharply. 

“Sir?” Tim questioned, surprised by his boss’ tone.

“Do not, I repeat, do NOT come back to the city.”

“Sir, you're gonna need all the help you can get.”

“No, that won’t be necessary, Whatever is going on is out of our hands. The military is here now-”

“Okay, I’m military, I can help.”

“Bradford, these guys aren't looking for help, just stay out if the city-”

“No, I can help, trust me. I’ll come back, I can-”

“OFFICER BRADFORD YOU LISTEN TO ME RIGHT NOW!” Grey wasn't one to raise his voice often, so Tim was shocked to be on the receiving end. “Listen, the military has come and taken over. The place I woke having complete authority over, I no longer do. I’ve lost over half of my officers in just the last few hours. They are starting to block off areas of the city turning them quarantine zones for whatever this zombie like virus is. They aren’t letting anyone in or out of them. I think by the end of the day they’ll have martial law. I don’t know how else to say this Bradford, but this…This is the end.” 

That last part hit Tim square in the gut. He took that moment to look out over the city. He saw smoke rising from various areas, heard gunshots going off, various sirens sounding over the distance, and even through all that, he could hear the screams of those still trapped in the city.

Tim bowed his head to the ground, before returning to his conversation with Grey. “What do you want us to do sir?” 

“I want you to take Officer Chen and get somewhere safe. I want you to get as far away from LA as possible. I want you two to look out for one another and take care of each other. She’s smart and strong Bradford, if anyone can survive this, it’s her.”

“Okay,” Tim acquiesced. “Okay, we will.”

“I’m sorry things are ending this way.” Grey’s voice was somber as he spoke.

“No they’re not. Once this is all over, we’ll come back, okay, and this will just be one crazy story.” 

He heard Grey chuckle at his remark. “I’ve always liked you, Bradford. You would’ve made a good sergeant. It’s been an honor and a pleasure serving with you in my chain of command.” 

Tim felt tears start to fill his eyes.  “Please sir, all the honor came from serving you. In all my years on the force and the military, you were the best sergeant I ever served under.” 

“Thank you, son,” Grey responded, voice thick with emotion. “Good luck, stay safe, and may God be with you.” 

“You as well sir.”

“Goodbye, Sergeant Bradford.” 

“Goodbye, sir.” 

And then the radio went dead. 

Tim looked at the shop that held Lucy in it. He knew it was time to go. He had to get her somewhere safe and he knew just the place. Somewhere far, deep in the woods, where no one would find them. He took one last look at LA, his beloved city, then went to get in his shop. When he got in, he heard Lucy listening to a radio station.

“The Emergency Levels are as follows for Los Angeles and its surrounding area.

Los Angeles - Stage 9 - Catastrophe 

Santa Monica - Stage 9 - Catastrophe

Torrence - Stage 8 - Disaster

Long Beach - Stage 9 - Catastrophe

Anaheim - Stage 7 - Outbreak

Pasadena - Stage 9 - Catastro-”

Tim turned it off as Lucy looked at him.

“What's going on?” she asked.

“We have to leave and not come back. It’s over, Lucy.” 

“But… What about our friends, Tim? Our families?”

“I don’t know. I just got off the radio with Grey. He said it’s over, there's nothing we can do now.” 

Tim watched as hopelessness took over her face as it dawned on her how bad it truly was. “Hey, we can survive this, but we’re only going to do that if you listen and do as I say. Can I count on you? If you want an out, the city is setting up quarantine zones. Grey said they aren’t letting anyone in or out, but we can try to find one willing to take you, but I think we have a better chance out here. So, can I count on you?”

“Yes Tim, you can count on me.”

“It won’t be easy.” 

“Since when have you known me to be a quitter?” she mused, trying to inject humor into the situation. 

Tim smiled softly at her. “I'm gonna take us somewhere safe, okay?” 

Lucy nodded as Tim started the shop and drove off. Neither knew what would happen, but one thing was for certain: They only had each other as the fight for their lives and their survival begins.

Chapter Text

The sun was starting to come down as Tim drove deeper and deeper into the woods. He looked over at Lucy who was fast asleep. He wanted her to get as much rest as she could knowing how brutal things were about to get for them. In just a matter of hours, everything they knew had been turned on its axis.

When you watch zombie movies or tv shows, they all show the chaos from the first day. No one shows what ten, twelve, hell even twenty four hours after the outbreak is like for the average person just trying to survive. Tim doesn't know how they made it this far, but they did. The cop and soldier side of him was screaming at him to go back and help people, but he had to ignore it, because a bigger voice was screaming louder at him to protect Lucy. Make sure what happened before, wouldn’t happen again.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, they arrived at the place Tim knew they would be safe.

“Hey,” he said, giving Lucy a gentle shake, waking her. “We’re here.”

Lucy looked around seeing how thick the foliage was surrounding her. She figured they must be deep in the forest up in the mountains. Tim got out of the shop and then walked around to her side to help her out. Lucy stumbled as she stepped out, but Tim caught her before she could hit the ground. She nodded her thanks at him and he started walking them towards a cabin.

It was small and she could tell it was old, but she saw solar panels on the roof, as well as a small brick chimney. He stopped at the door, and took out his keys, fumbling until he found the right one.

“Tim, what is this place?”

“My grandfather’s hunting cabin,” he replied as he unlocked the door and ushered her in.

Tim guided her to a chair by a table and sat her down. “I’ll be right back, I’m going to go hide the shop then bring our stuff in.”

He turned and left her alone. Lucy took the chance to look around the place. There was still enough light outside to let her see what was around her. Her first impression was that it was dark and dusty. There was an old, worn out couch sitting in front of a fire place. Inside the fireplace was a cast iron pot on a hook that she assumed could swing in and out over it. Hanging on the wall next to the fireplace was a cast iron skillet along with some wooden cooking utensils. She turned and focused her attention on the kitchen next, if you could even call it that. It was just a sink with a hand pump and a large freezer next to it.

On either side of the cabin, there was a door, most likely, she assumed each leading to a bedroom. She was relieved that at least this isn't a one bed situation she read about in stories that she secretly enjoyed. On the right side of the cabin, there was an additional door that she hoped led to a bathroom.

The front door opened, breaking her from her thoughts, as Tim re-entered the cabin. He threw both of their go bags on the couch along with a thick stick, and opened the mystery door which, to her relief, led to a bathroom. It was small, but it had a toilet and a shower, which was all she cared about.

Tim came back with a first aid kit, taking a seat in front of her. She watched as he got out some more wipes from earlier, a rag he soaked with water, and a then what she dreaded, him threading a needle with some thread from medical packaging.

“Give me your cuffs,” he said as he turned to her.

“What?” questioned Lucy’s face scrunched up in confusion and dread at his words combined with the sight of the suture kit.

“Look, the bad news is you'll need stitches, and I’ve got nothing to numb you up. This is gonna be painful, so I need to restrain you so you don't try and push me while I’m doing this.”

She felt herself go numb and started shaking as the memories of the last time someone had stuck a needle into her side and restrained her in a chair came rushing back. Tim must have seen the fear take over her facial features, as he put his hand on her knee and gently rubbed it with his thumb.

“I’m not doing it to hurt you Lucy, I’m doing it to help you so you don't get an infection.” He swallowed and took a breath before continuing. “I’m not him.”

After a moment Lucy nodded and handed him her cuffs. She turned to the side as he gently took her wrist and weaved the cuffs through the slits on the back of the chair and cuffed her hands in front of her.

“I’ll be quick, I promise.”

Lucy nodded and prepared herself.

“Can I roll up your shirt?” he asked as he placed his hands near her hip.

She nodded once more and then he rolled it up. She knew he could see her tattoo. He swallowed when he saw it, but neither said anything. Tim removed the gaze from earlier as he got to work disinfecting the wound. At first, when he used the rag to clean out the wound, Lucy hardly felt any pain. Then, when he switched to the wipe, as soon as it pressed on the wound, she let out a hiss. She felt Tim gently rub his thumb along the injury as a way to sooth her. After he was done, he reached over and grabbed the stick.

“You’re gonna need something to bite down on,” he said, frowning at what he was about to do. Lucy nodded as she opened her mouth and he placed the stick in horizontally. Tim placed the needle and thread against her skin.

“Okay, on the count of three, one, two, three!”

Lucy let out a muffled scream as he stuck the needle in. She felt the thread get pulled through her skin and cried out in pain as much as she could with a stick in her mouth. She knew he was going as quickly as he could, but every suture’s prick and pull brought a new onset of pain. She now knew why he cuffed her, because she was fighting in her restraints to push him off.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m almost done.” Tim grimaced as he continued on.
Lucy felt tears coming down her face and finally, after what felt like an eternity, he stopped and tied them off.

“Okay, I’m done, I’m done.” He uncuffed her and took the stick out of her mouth.

As soon as she was free, Lucy collapsed against Tim and clung to him. She felt him hesitate at first, but soon he wrapped his arms around her and comforted her the best way he could.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he whispered to her as she calmed down. After a few moments he pulled away. “There’s one more thing we gotta do.”

She looked at him curiously and then remembered her shoulder.

“Just make it quick.”

She let him take her arm and he got into position.

“Ready?”

She nodded in a silent reply.

“Okay, one two-”

Pop

Lucy let out a yelp as her shoulder was popped back into place. Tim then guided her to the couch and sat her down. He disappeared into one of the bedrooms and came back with a pillow case. Taking some scissors from the first aid kit, he cut the seams down the sides.

“Hold your arm across your chest.”

Lucy did as she was told and he fastened it around her like a sling.

“Thank you.”

Tim only nodded in response. He went and opened a drawer to a counter in the kitchen and pulled out a flint and steel set. Then, he made his way to the fireplace and threw in some logs. He struck the flint and steel and soon a fire was going.

Tim took a seat next to her. It was silent for a few moments as they both sat there processing everything that happened. It felt like they were stuck in a bad dream they couldn’t wake up from.

“You said this was your grandfather’s cabin?” Lucy asked, Tim nodded in response. “You never mentioned this place or him before.”

Tim let out a sigh at Lucy's remark.

“My grandfather was my Dad’s Dad. He felt awful for how his son turned out and tried his best to be a positive influence in mine and my sister’s life. When I started getting physically abused by my father and our relationship got worse, my grandfather would take me up here on weekends to help me get away from it all. My father claimed that he’s the one that taught me how to be a man, but really, it was my grandfather. We would hunt and fish for days up here, just him and me. He told me his stories from when he fought in World War Two. It inspired me to join the army.”

“He sounds like a great guy.”

“He was. He passed away from a heart attack when I was ten. I thought this place would go to my father and he would sell it and I’d never see it again. Or he’d come up here and turn it into a drinking den, but luckily, my grandfather had the foresight to leave it to me in the will. In fact, he put it in a trust that only I could access once I turned eighteen. I’ve kept everything pretty much the same. He was big on making sure this place was self-sufficient, so I added the solar panels once I took control. They keep the water running and the freezer going, but that’s about it.”

“Speaking of the freezer, what are we gonna do for food?”

Tim thought about it for a moment before he walked on the floor and stomped a few times until a hollowed noise was made. He got down and felt the floor until he found the edge and pulled it up. He smiled when he looked inside.

“My grandfather’s hunting weapons. I have two crossbows, two regular bows, a rifle, a ton of arrows, and various knives in here. I also have a hatchet and an axe. I can take the crossbow out tomorrow and go hunt.”

“Why not just take the gun and go now while there is still some light left?”

“Now, why am I about to tell you no?” He asked in his TO tone, looking at her like he was quizzing her on patrol and the answer was obvious.

“Noise will attract unwanted attention?” She guessed as she shrugged her good shoulder.

“That, but also there’s another reason, a major one.” He looked at her waiting for her to come there on her own, but she still looked at him confused. “What is the one thing that turns a gun from a useless paper weight into a lethal weapon, Boot?” he questioned.

Lucy thought for a moment before answering.

“Bullets.”

“Exactly. And bullets have to be manufactured. Right now it’s no issue, cause the apocalypse just started, but eventually it will become one. Guns are gonna be everyone's go to weapon because they can kill quick and fast. Plus they are reliable. But the longer this thing goes on for, the more scarce bullets will become. And the most lethal guns like any semi-automatics are gonna be the first to run out of ammo, and the rest will soon follow. We gotta become proficient and learn to use weapons like crossbows because arrows are reusable and we can make more if push came to shove,” Tim explained.

Lucy nodded.

“So, what time are we going out tomorrow?”

“What do you mean, we?” asked Tim, in disbelief.

“I mean, you can’t do all the work.”

“One, you’re injured. And two, you? hunting? Aren’t you all vegetarian and animal rights?”

“Pescatarian, but if eating meat means surviving then, I’m going to do what I need to, too survive.”

“Look, it’s not happening. You're injured and you wouldn’t know what to do. I’ll go hunt then go to a local town not far from here and get more supplies.”

“But Tim-”

“End of discussion. Now, it’s late and you need your rest, so go to bed, Boot.”

“Fine,” huffed Lucy, annoyed. “Good night.”

With out another word, Lucy went to the room on the right and shut the door. She looked around the room and took in how small it was. It was big enough to fit a bed, a dresser, and a night stand, but that was it.

She sighed and took off her wool uniform down to her undershirt and underwear. Crawling under the covers, she looked up at the ceiling. She was frustrated and knew Tim was trying to protect her, but he was becoming over protective. She wasn’t defenseless and she wasn’t his rookie anymore.

She bit her lip at the thought of her new reality. Could she really survive like this? If Tim got his head out of his ass then maybe. Maybe if he slept on it, he would let her come with him tomorrow to the town. She could understand not letting her hunt at the moment, but going into a populated area by himself where zombies are roaming around would be dangerous. All Lucy could do was hope and pray he would come to his senses by morning.

She let out a breath she had been holding as her adrenaline finally wore off and she fell into a deep slumber.

Chapter Text

Tim awoke as soon as the first light broke through his window.
He excited his room and made his way into the main part of the cabin. He cracked Lucy’s door open and saw she was still fast asleep. He noticed that her blanket had slipped down at some point in the night. Careful not to wake her, he crept it and adjusted it back up and over her shoulders before turning and leaving the room.

After quietly closing the door, he went to get his gear ready. He slung his quiver over his shoulder and took out the crossbow. Searching through the weapons, he made sure to pack a knife to help with the cleaning and dressing. After a bit of debating, he decided to grab his gun too, just in case.

He slipped out of the cabin and went down the familiar routes he and his Grandfather used to take. When they were hunting at the time, it was for pleasure, but he never thought he would have to do it for survival. Maybe his grandfather always knew something like this would happen. That’s why the cabin was so sustainable. His final gift to Tim.

He continued wandering, trying to keep a low profile, hunting his prey. He also kept in mind he was prey for any living dead that might wander up here. He hoped they were far enough away, but you could never be too careful.

As Tim was stalking through the bushes he noticed a raccoon, but as soon as he raised his weapon to take aim, it took off. Tim looked down and realized he was still in his full uniform. Of course the last time he went hunting, he had on full camo gear. His uniform now made him stand out against the green foliage. With the realization he pocketed his badge, pen, and name tag, trying to make him the slightest bit less flashy.

Tim continued subtly making his way down the trail when he noticed a massive deer in front of him. It had to be a three pointer buck, easily. As he aimed his crossbow, the deer turned and looked at him. The shot was his to take, but then he lowered his weapon. While a deer would make a nice meal, in fact several nice meals, he wasn’t equipped to get it back to the cabin. Plus, the freezer wasn’t cold enough yet, the meat would go to waste. He watched as the buck trodded off, back through the woods.

In that moment, Tim wondered if he should even be out here hunting in the first place, but he knew Lucy would be hungry, after all they had hardly eaten anything at all since yesterday. He could find something small, something he could cook this morning to hold them over, then when he goes into town, he’ll get canned food to really help them out. Though for now, it was gonna be whatever small animal wondered into his path. As if luck would have it, he spotted a rabbit. Without wasting a moment, he aimed his arrow at the critter and fired. He watched as the arrow sailed and hit the animal square in the eye. It was dead before it hit the ground. He approached it and picked up its limp body. He removed the arrow and walked back to the cabin.

When he got back he pulled down the table that was folded up to the outside of the cabin. His grandfather always had them handle the meat outside so as to not make a mess in the cabin. He got to work skinning the animal and then removed its head. Slicing it open, he took out all the entrails, using the bucket next to him to throw out all the discarded parts. Once the rabbit was prepared, he walked to a creek nearby and dumped the parts into it. This way no animal would come by searching for a meal and no human would know they were there.

Tim went back and took the meat inside. He slid the remainder of the body onto a skewer before placing it over the fireplace. He took out the flint and steel and lit a fire, and slowly turned the skewer, roasting the rabbit over the open flame. As he was finishing up the roast, he heard a door creak behind him. 

Tim turned his head to see a half awake Lucy rubbing her eyes in the door way.

”Morning,” greeted Tim.

“Morning, what’s that?” she asked as she made her way into the living area of the cabin.

“Breakfast,” said Tim as he turned towards her. She looked at him confused as she tried to figure out what he could be cooking. “Rabbit.” he clarified.

Lucy nodded and then went and sat on the couch. She looked at her watch and saw it was still pretty early.

“When did you go out and hunt it?” she asked.

“This morning, just as the sun came up.” He took the meat off the skewer and divided it up onto two separate plates. He handed one to her and Lucy took it reluctantly. He couldn’t help but smirk at her expression. “Thought you said you would eat meat if it meant surviving, Boot.” he said in a smug tone.

“I did, I will, I just never saw myself eating rabbit for breakfast before.” Lucy continued to stare at it. She picked up a piece and examined it.

“I don’t see you eating it,” he chastised at her. Lucy looked him dead in the eyes and plopped the piece in her mouth and started chewing.
“Tasty,” she quipped, barely hiding her grimace.

“No it’s not. It’s unseasoned meat, of course it’s not gonna taste good, but it will keep us alive.” Tim said, plopping down on the couch next to her and began to eat.

Lucy ate more, her hunger outweighing how bad the meat tasted. It wasn’t horrible, it was smokey and tender, but Tim was right, without seasoning it tasted bland. It didn’t take either of them long to eat everything on their plates. After they were done, Tim gathered their plates.

“Are you still going to go gather supplies?” Lucy asked.

“Yes, I’ll leave here in a little bit,” he replied, as he placed the plates in the sink, “You're still not coming with me.”

“Tim, you're gonna need help,” Lucy stated as she stood up from the couch.

“Boot-”

“Tim, you are going to need help out there. We are quite literally living in the walking dead now. Do you have any idea how dangerous it will be to go alone?”

“You’re injured right now, it’s not happening. You need to stay here and heal.”

“Says the man who went back to work way too soon after getting shot.”

“That was different.”

“Why?”

“Because it was. I don’t want you in a dangerous situation.”

“Well in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not some damsel in distress, Tim. I am a very capable police officer who you have trained.”

“I never said you weren’t.”

“Okay, then let me go. I get you’re just trying to look out for me, but it is going to be so much more dangerous for you if you go alone.”

“But that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“And me going is a risk I’m willing to take.”

Tim sighed. They were both being equally stubborn right now and he could tell Lucy wasn’t going to back down unless she got the answer she wanted. Maybe there was a way he could give it to her, but find a loophole to make sure she stays put. That way she stays safe.

“Okay, Boot.” he said as he crossed his arms across his chest. “You can come, but I need you to do one thing for me first.”

Lucy narrowed her eyes at him in uncertainty. “Okay.”

“Go throw out the rabbit bones,” he requested gesturing to the door. “There’s a creek down the hill. Toss them there.”

“Why? So you can drive off without me?” she questioned.

Damn. she’s good. Tim thought.

“We need to discard the bones in a way animals and people won’t know we’re here. Throw them in the creek and they'll flow away.”

“Why can’t I just wait till we get back?”

“Because I don’t want to attract bugs or rodents, Boot.”

Lucy sighed at his comment. He could tell she wasn’t buying what he was putting down. “You have my word, Boot. If you can do it in under five minutes, you can come.”

And there it was. That comment lit a spark in her eyes.

“Tim Test during the apocalypse, I like it.” She gathered the bones quickly in her arms. “I’ll be right back.”

Lucy ran out the door and made her way down the hill through the shrub and weeds as fast as she could. There was no path and she knew her wool uniform would not hold up well, but she made it to the creek in no time. She dropped the bones in and watched as they washed away. She started climbing back up the hill when she heard a car start.

“That son of a-” she mumbled to herself before racing up the hill as fast as her legs could carry her, but by the time she made it to the top, she saw it was no use, Tim was already gone.

_

Tim didn’t like what he had to do to Lucy, but he had no choice. He made a promise to himself in the wake of her abduction to keep her safe as much as possible. Being cops, made that hard. Being in the apocalypse made it ten times harder, but he had to do it. Whether she hated him for it or not, he had to protect her, cause if not him, who else will?

He pulled up to a mountain side town a few miles from the cabin. Calling this place a town was being generous, though. It was only about a street long and mainly sold stuff to tourists coming up into the mountains for various camping and ski trips. But that meant he could find everything he needed here. He tried to drive further in but cars had blocked him off.

Tim exited his car with his crossbow in hand and pocketed his knife on his left side. His gun sat right in his holster incase of an emergency. He ventured further into the town, shocked to find it void of any people. He figured the military came through and took them all to a quarantine zone or they were held up in their own homes.

Then again, no one really lived here. People mainly just came into town to make their money then leave. He walked with his crossbow at the ready just in case the silence was a deception. He wandered into a camping store figuring he could find the most items there. He grabbed a shopping cart and threw in everything he and Lucy might need. Jeans, cargo pants, shirts, flannels, even some pajamas he managed to find. He didn’t know what Lucys size was, but he did his best to guess as he threw any women’s clothing that might fit her into the cart.

Tim paused when he saw a rack with some sports bras and underwear. Buying undergarments for your coworker, especially one you had power over, was generally a bad idea. But they were in the apocalypse and they didn’t have much of a choice. Without thinking too much about it, he threw them in for her as well, again, hoping his guess was right.

Underwear was necessary, he thought to himself, Don’t make it weird, Don’t make it weird.

He continued down the isles and grabbed them some jackets and sweatshirts for when it got colder. While it was early spring, it was better to get stuff for the winter now, instead of waiting and risking it being gone. He found some men’s hiking boots for himself and some women’s combat boots for her, sighing in relief when he found some in her size. Finally, he picked up two backpacks for each of them in case they needed to pack and leave the cabin.

Once he gathered what he felt like were enough clothes he began to make his way out of the store when he noticed some campfire meals towards the front of the store. He picked one up noticing it was a lot like MREs he had in the military where all you did was just add heated up water and that was it. He grabbed every single meal left and threw it into the cart.

He made his way out of the store and got the cart to the shop. He loaded it up with all the supplies he got before he grabbed his bag and walked back into town. He went into a convenience store that was a bit further down. Tim loaded up the bag with any canned food and energy bars he could find. He also managed to snag them a pack of toilet paper he figured would last them at least a bit.

As he was walking out, he noticed a diner next to the pharmacy. Knowing the diner would have bulk canned food he figured he’d hit them first and then the pharmacy before heading out. Tim dropped off the backpack and toilet paper he was holding in the shop before taking the empty backpack with him. He went into the diner and once again filled the bag with what he could. Since the cans were larger here, there was a lot he was leaving behind, but he made a note to come back here on a future supply run and take what he could again.

After he had finished up at the diner, he went over to the pharmacy and grabbed some basic medicine like Tylenol and Dayquil. As he made his way more around the store he passed the family planning aisle. As he turned into the aisle, he saw the shelves that held all the pads and tampons and immediately felt overwhelmed. He didn’t know if Lucy preferred pads or tampons, and of the two she preferred, what type of pad or tampon she used. So, to be on the safe side, he grabbed everything.

He looked in the back where he knew prescription medication was kept. While it was risky, he knew they needed things like penicillin so he made his way to the door that the pharmacist entered in and out of. Finding it was locked, he went around and saw the pulldown doors at the counter were closed.

“Great,” he mumbled to himself. He looked back at the door and realized his only option was forced entry. He went up to the door again and in one swift motion kicked the door open. However, as soon as he did so the alarm went off.

“Shit!”

Knowing that it was only a matter of time before the sound was heard, he turned and took off running out of the store.

After he ran out, he noticed the noise had attracted some zombies. As soon as they saw him they started sprinting towards him. Tim took out his gun and fired at them before running towards where the shop was. As he got closer he jumped up on top of cars that were clogging up the road in between him and the shop. He fired at the zombies as he backed up. However, he wasn’t careful and misplaced his step. He fell off the top of a car and hit the ground hard, knocking the wind out of him.

Tim went to stand but felt an instant pain shoot through his wrist. He looked down and noticed a massive scrape as well as swelling forming. He went to move again when he noticed a zombie crawling over the car.

“Oh fuck!” he shouted. Tim went to reach for his gun, but realized he had dropped it just out of his reach. He started scooting back as quickly as he could to grab it. That’s when the zombie made it on top of the car then lunged at him with a loud snarl.

BANG

BANG

BANG

Tim flinched, but then looked as the zombie fell dead at his feet. He looked up and saw none other than Lucy standing on the roof of the of the car behind him with her gun in hand.

“Lucy!?” he exclaimed.

“Get your ass moving! NOW!!” she roared.

Tim managed to grab his gun and climb up on the hood as Lucy kept firing.

“Cover me,” she said.

Tim climbed to where she was and started firing as she leaped across the roofs of the various cars.

“GO! I’ve got you!” she yelled.

Tim turned to make his jumps as she fired back at the dead. Once they got close enough to the shop, they both jumped down.

As soon as Lucy’s feet hit the ground, she swiped the shop keys from Tim. He wanted to argue with her, but they had no time. Instead they both took off running for the shop. Once they got there, Tim threw his bag in the back seat as Lucy leaped into the front and started the car. No sooner then Tim climb in, Lucy slammed her foot on the gas and they took off.

Tim looked at Lucy as they drove. She had a look of fury in her eyes.

“Lucy-”

“Not a word, Tim,” she growled.

Sensing the severity in her statement, Tim relented and sat there in silence as they drove back to the cabin.

Why they arrived, the pair worked together to unload the shop since both had an injury on one of their arms. Once they were done, Lucy forced Tim to sit on the couch while she went and grabbed the first aid kit. She sat next to him and took his arm. She took a rag she had dipped in water and started cleaning his wound. Tim winced as the cold rag touched him.

“Hold still,” Lucy grumbled.

“I am holding still,” replied Tim in a grumpy tone.

Lucy rolled her eyes. “You probably have a sprain along with the scrape.”

After Lucy was finished with the rag, she took out an alcohol wipe and pressed it hard against his wound.

“OUCH!” yelped Tim as he ripped his arm away.

“Hold still!” barked Lucy as she yanked his arm back.

“You made it hurt on purpose!”

“It wouldn’t hurt so bad if you kept still! Now all I need to do is wrap it up, can you handle that!?” She asked with a tone mixed with sarcasm and sternness as she began to wrap his arm. Once she finished, she let let go of his arm. “There, happy?” she asked bluntly.

“No,” Tim snapped as he got up, ignoring the look Lucy shot at him, “You shouldn’t have walked down there by yourself, do you have any idea how dangerous that was!?”

“Hey!” Lucy stood up. “I saved your fucking life. If I hadn’t you’d be amongst the walking dead right now and then I would have been stuck here surviving alone. Then how safe would I be? Huh? Plus the only reason I walked down by myself was because you left after you told me you wouldn’t!”

Tim paused. He was rendered speechless, realizing how angry he had made Lucy at him.

“You know what, forget it, I’m going to bed.”

“Lucy-” Tim called out, but she ignored him as she went into her room and slammed the door shut.

Later, Tim laid awake, staring at the ceiling. His actions in trying to protect Lucy put not only her, but himself in direct danger. He could’ve gotten them both killed. He had made a promise to Grey that he would work with her, but all he has done is work against her. As he continued to wallow in self pity, he was jolted out of his thoughts by a loud scream.

“Lucy,” he whispered before he leaped out of bed, his knife in hand. He raced for her bedroom fearing the worst when he threw her door open, only to find her thrashing around in the sheets.

“No! NO! NO!!! Please don’t do this to me! Don’t make me go in there!!!” She screamed.

Tim threw down his knife and quickly sat on her bed and grasped her shoulders.
“Lucy! Wake up!! Lucy!!” he shouted as she started shaking her.

Lucy was thrashing so violently, he feared she would rip out her stitches so he held her down. That turned out to be the wrong decision as it only made her freak out more.

“LET ME GO!! PLEASE!!” She cried.

“Lucy! It’s me, Tim! Wake up. Wake UP!!”

Her eyes flew open as she let out a yelp. She looked at him with a wide eyed expression, tears streaming down her face.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Tim reassured her, “Now you need to calm down and hold still, otherwise you'll rip your stitches, okay?” Lucy’s breathing started to calm, but she still looked terrified. “It’s okay, it’s okay. You're safe, I promise you're safe.”

“Tim?” She whispered once her breathing finally evened out.

“Yeah, it’s me, I’m right here.”

As soon as he relaxed his grasp, Lucy lunged herself at his chest and clung to him. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. The last time he held her like this was when he pulled her from the barrel. But the fact that after everything she still sought comfort in him, lit a spark in his heart. He brought one of his hands to the back of her head and rubbed his fingers against her as he slowly started to rock her.

“I’ve got you, don’t worry. I’ve got you,” he whispered into her hair.

—

A little while later, Lucy sat in front of the fireplace with a blanket wrapped around her. Tim approached her with a coffee mug and placed it in her hands. A herbal and fruity aroma filled her nose.

“I found some tea in town today,” Tim remarked. Lucy nodded as he sat next to her. He slowly reached up and placed a hand on her back and slowly rubbed it. “How often do you have these nightmares?”

“Just about every night,” she said as she sipped her tea.

“Is that why you have been out of it in the shop?” He asked and she nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because.” Lucy turned towards him. “I didn’t want you to think I was incapable of becoming a cop. And I think that was a wise decision considering how over protective you’ve been since the apocalypse started.”

“Lucy, I just didn’t want anything else bad to happen to you that I could have prevented.”

“What are you talking about?” She asked, brows furrowed in confusion.

“It’s because of me you went out with Caleb. All you wanted was to go home and go to bed, but I had to open my big mouth and push you to go out for a drink and then you almost died.”

“What?” Lucy questioned, her voice softening as Tim averted his gaze. “There was no reason to suspect anything. What happened wasn’t your fault.” Tim looked at her with eyes full of regret and sadness. All the blame and guilt he held onto was finally coming to the surface. Now it was Lucy's turn to put her hand on his back and softly rub it. “It wasn’t mine either. And look you had been giving me a hard time all day that day about crushing on him so I might’ve even gone out with him just to spite you. Plus you never explicitly said to go out with him. You said go grab a drink with another human. You gave me solid advice and I made a grown up decision. There is no reason either of us, especially you could’ve known that would happen.”

“But, I’m a cop-”

“Well, so am I,” Lucy countered. “The thing about psychopaths is they know exactly how to play their victims. I mean, look at all that Ted Bundy was able to do. It wasn’t your fault Tim. In fact you’re the reason I’m here today. You’re the one who found me.”

“I found you because of your ring, you saved yourself.”

“But you’re the one who saw it. You're the one who dug me up, ripped the sealed lid open, pulled me out and gave me CPR. You held me in your arms and cradled me against your chest and made me feel the safest I have ever felt after going through the scariest ordeal of my life. It was you who stayed with me all night in the hospital, even though I know you deny it. And it was you who brought me my favorite meal and made sure I was okay. You are the one who did all of that, Tim.”

He looked at her softly, and for the first time in months, he allowed himself to let go of the guilt that had been eating away at him since that fateful day.

“Thank you, Lucy.”

“You're welcome. Now, that being said, you have got to let go of your over protectiveness of me. Keeping me locked up in this cabin won’t keep me safe. But teaching me how to hunt, help go on supply runs, learning how to survive will. Allow me to be a protector as well so we can both be safe and make it out on the other side of this. Okay? And also stop calling me ‘Boot.” We’re no longer a training officer and a rookie. We are now two people just trying to survive in this new world. So treat it like that.”

Tim let out a slight chuckle.

“You’re right. And I’m sorry for what happened today and how I have been acting. If you want me to train you, I’ll train you to survive. Just don’t expect the Tim Tests to go away anytime soon.” he joked.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she replied, her lips twitching into a smile.

Tim returned her smile with one of his own. “Good, now I bet we’re both hungry, so I’ll cook up a can of chili, how does that sound?”

“Sounds perfect.”

He went over to the kitchen and grabbed a can before taking it over to the fire and cracking it open with his knife. Then he poured it into a pot and swung it over the fire before returning to the couch.

“You know, apocalypse aside, this is kinda cozy,” she hummed.

“Yeah, it kinda is.” He shrugged his shoulders in response.

Lucy chuckled and rolled her eyes. They sat in the comfort of the silence for a bit admiring the fire. Of course, Tim wouldn’t admit how cozy it really felt with the food cooking over the fire in a cabin, deep in the woods with a girl who was his subordinate just a day ago.

And of course, Tim didn’t say anything after dinner when he felt Lucy lay her head on his shoulder after she had fallen asleep. But in this moment what he would admit was that he knew Lucy was right. If they worked together, they could beat this.​​​​ They could and they would survive.

Chapter Text

It had been one week since life as they knew it came to and end.
One week since Tim and Lucy fled the city and sought safety in the cabin of Tim’s Grandfather. One week since they had been a rookie and a T.O.

Lucy rubbed her eyes as the sunlight filtered through her eyelids and woke her from a deep sleep. She gave herself some time to wake up, before dragging herself out into the kitchen where she knew Tim would be.

“Morning,” he greeted, handing her a bowl of some canned peaches he had just opened.

“Morning and thank you,” Lucy said, accepting the bowl. Things had been good between them since the night they hashed everything out.

“How’s your arm feeling?” He asked as he bit into his breakfast.

“Good,” Lucy replied. “A little sore, but it feels like it’s basically back to normal.” Her arm had been out of the sling for about two days now and Tim was able to take the stitches out of her abdomen as well.

“Great! In that case, I’d like to teach you how to shoot with a crossbow today,” Tim expressed.

“Wait, really?” Lucy asked in an excited tone. Tim let a smile slip as he nodded.

“Yeah, you’re healed up and we’re running low on canned food. So today, I’m gonna teach you how to shoot so you can hunt and defend yourself with one. If you’re up for it, we’ll actually hunt and I’ll teach you how to skin an animal,” stated Tim.

Lucy felt her stomach slightly plunge at the thought of skinning an animal. She knew this moment was coming and she would have to do it, but she just wasn’t ready for it.

“You okay with that?” He asked, concerned at her hesitancy.

She almost told him about her nerves, but she just nodded, not wanting to risk the confidence Tim had in her going back to square one.

“Yup!” she said, trying to sound as confident as she could. “Super!”

“Cause if you’re not-” teased Tim.

She squared her shoulders in response to his challenge and slightly leaned in, a smug grin forming on her face.“Nope, I am game for whatever you throw at me, Bradford.”

“Alright then, finish up your breakfast and then will get started.”

_

About an hour or two later, Tim had set up a makeshift range outside with empty cans and tree stumps.

“Okay,” Tim said as he walked over to Lucy. “We’re gonna start off easy. Line up the crossbow and shoot at the cans. Don’t worry about being too accurate right now, this is all about getting a feel for using the crossbow.”

“Alright,” Lucy replied.

Tim held up the crossbow in the correct stance to demonstrate. “Just like a rifle, you're gonna have your dominant hand on the trigger and your non-dominant hand sporting the weapon. Got it?” She nodded and he handed her the crossbow. It felt a bit awkward compared to a gun. The cross bow was big and bulky, and the weight felt much heavier in her arms than any rifle she held. She put her hands where Tim told her to and held up the weapon.

“Like this?”

Tim looked at her form and had to fight back a laugh. She looked uncomfortable and her arms were too close together.

“Like this,” corrected Tim. He went behind her and adjusted her arms to the correct position. Her breath slightly hitched as she felt him press up against her. He lowered his face and murmured in her ear. “Now, keep your aim steady, just like when you hold a gun.”

It took Lucy by surprise when he didn’t move back, but continued to hold her and helped her steady her aim. Lucy felt dizzy and disoriented, she felt a rush go through her body, momentarily forgetting she needed to shoot the arrow.

“When you’re ready,” he whispered.

Tim’s voice shook her from her thoughts, but at the same time, the whisper sent chills down her spine as she was not use to Tim speaking that quietly to her. Lucy shook her head and focused in on her target (and tried not to on Tim holding her) aimed, and-

PLANG

She watched as the arrow sailed through the air and just scraped the tin can.

“Not bad,” Tim mused, letting go of her. Lucy immediately missed the warmth and strength she had previously felt pressed up against her. “Just try and be a bit more steady. Remember, we’re using these to hunt, so you’ve got to be quiet and precise. Let’s try it again.”

He grabbed another arrow and handed it to Lucy. She reloaded the bow and got into the stance she took the first time she held the crossbow.

“This stance, right?” She asked, knowing deep down it was incorrect.

Tim playfully rolled his eyes and came behind her again to steady her. She felt her heart start to quicken and a warm sensation filled her body once again.

“Fire when you’re ready,”

His soft tone only made the warm feeling increase. But she once again, had to shake it off and focus. She lined herself up perfectly then-

PLANG

This time the bow flew through the air and hit the dead center of the can.

“I got it!” She exclaimed excitedly as she turned to Tim.

“Nice job, Chen!”

He went to high five her and she reciprocated. What she didn’t expect was his hand to wrap around her’s a second after contact was made. What shocked her even more was that she let her hand follow suit in grasping his. She gave him a small, kind, smile, which he returned before ducking his head as he pulled away. Lucy averted her gaze away and cleared her throat. They each took a step back before resuming eye contact.

“Good work. Let’s have you practice a few more times and then we’ll go hunt,” Tim instructed.

“Yeah, that sounds great.” She glanced down quickly to hide her blush, before looking back up at him. Tim nodded and went to retrieve the arrows, leaving Lucy to wonder what had just transpired.

_

A few hours later, Tim was satisfied with Lucy’s skill enough to take her on a hunt. She was naturally good with a crossbow, which he was not too surprised considering out of all the rookies he had, Lucy was the best with a gun. He figured a crossbow would either be really easy or really hard for her and he’s happy it was the former.

They walked through the woods, each with a crossbow in hand. He noticed the way Lucy scanned the forest as they walked, just like she would when on patrol. Those cop eyes he taught her were coming in real handy now. He saw a tree coming up with sturdy branches about ten feet off the ground. Tim stopped and nudged her shoulder. She looked at him and he pointed at the tree.

“How good are you at climbing trees?” he asked.

“I’ve never done it before.”

His eyebrows arched at her reply. “Really? Not even as a kid?”

“My mom said it wasn’t “lady-like,” Lucy said, making quotation marks.

Tim rolled his eyes, feeling sorry for her. “Well, it’s good to do when hunting because it helps us get a vantage point. Plus it makes it harder for animals to see and sense us. Come on.”

They walked towards the tree and noticed it overlooked a clearing that was down-hill from them. Tim threw his crossbow across his back and turned towards Lucy and crouched slightly as he locked his fingers together, placing them over his knee.

“Come on, I’ll boost you.” Tim squatted into the position. Lucy looked at him unsure. “You’ll be fine, Chen, I won’t let you fall.”

“It’s not that,” she hesitated.

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t like being lifted, okay?” Lucy said as she looked away sheepishly.

Tim sighed and straightened up.

“I’m not really lifting you. I’m just helping you up on-to the branch. Plus it will only be for a little bit, okay?” He reassured, once again.

Lucy nodded, “Okay.” she conceded.

Tim retook his position as Lucy threw her crossbow across her back and approached Tim. She placed her foot in his hands, and her hands on his shoulders.

“Now, I’m gonna push you fast. Just grab the branch and pull yourself up.” Tim waited for Lucy to nod in agreement. “Okay, on the count of three. One, two-”

And with a grunt Lucy and Tim heaved herself off the ground. Lucy grabbed onto the thick branch and pulled herself up. The next thing she knew, she had fully pulled herself onto it with a leg on either side.

“You good?” Tim called out.

“Yeah,” she responded.

“Okay, climb up to the next highest one that faces the clearing.” Lucy looked and saw the next branch Tim was talking about. It wasn’t as high as the one she was currently on and when she stood it came up to her waist. She was able to easily pull herself onto the next one.

Lucy glanced towards Tim, who once he saw she was secured, made a running jump and reached up for the branch she was previously on. He pulled himself up and swung over with ease.

“What now?” asked Lucy after Tim secured himself.

“Now we wait,” he replied.

Lucy nodded and sat with her crossbow in her hands at the ready as she leaned back against the trunk. They both sat as quietly as possible so animals would start coming near them.

If they weren’t in the apocalypse right now and this wasn’t how she was feeding herself, Lucy would find this relaxing. Sitting in the tree with a cool breeze blowing gently through the leaves as a warm sunbeam rested against her face. It felt nice, and the company wasn’t too bad either.

Part of her wondered where these new onset of feelings for Tim came from. The enjoyment of his touch and the way she felt her heart leap whenever he did so. Or the way her knees would shake whenever he spoke softly to her. She could dwell on it for a little longer if she wanted to, but she shook it off as being with him 24/7 now and that they were in a high stakes survival situation. Biologically speaking, she was bound to feel something towards him. But that’s all it would be, basic biology.

Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes broke her from her thoughts. Both Tim and Lucy perked up. A rabbit had appeared in the clearing.

“You take the shot,” Tim murmured.

“What?” Lucy whisper-ed yelled back.

“You’ve got this, just remember what I taught you.”

Lucy took aim at the little critter. She felt bad about killing the rabbit, but this was for their survival, so she had no choice. So she took a breath and fired. The arrow sailed right through the rabbit’s eye, killing it before it hit the ground.

Tim’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. “Nice!” he praised.

He hopped down first, then turned to help Lucy. Tim raised his arms towards her as she leaned forward and placed her hands on his shoulders. She slipped forward and he caught her waist with ease as he lowered her to the ground.

“Thanks,” she said as she moved her hands to his biceps.

“No problem,” he replied, still keeping his hands on her waist.

They both looked into one another’s eyes. She saw a look she had never seen before. It was soft and focused in on her, as if nothing else mattered to him, If she didn’t know any better, she would say he was looking at her like she was the only girl in the word. But then, she saw the moment reality caught up to him and he broke away, ending the moment.

“Come on,” said Tim as he cleared his throat, “Let’s get your kill before an animal does.”

“Yeah,” replied Lucy, further trying to bury that feeling in her stomach once again. They both sheepishly turned away and moved towards the dead rabbit.

Tim picked up the arrow with the rabbit still attached. He pulled the arrow out and handed the carcass to Lucy, who looked at it disgusted. “You gotta get used to it, Chen.” He smirked at her. Lucy let out a little whine before taking it and they started their walk back to the cabin.

Once they got back, Tim took Lucy to the side and pulled down the fold up table. Lucy placed the rabbit on it as Tim pulled out a knife. 

“Alright Chen, I’m gonna teach you how to skin and dress the animal. First, we’re gonna take all the skin off. I’m gonna make a little cut right here at the base of the neck and then you’re gonna pull all of the skin off, okay?”

“Okay,” Lucy replied, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Tim made the cut and showed Lucy where to put her hand. “Okay, now pull!”

Lucy did and ripped the skin right off. She grimaced and flinched at how easily it ripped and the sound it made.

“It doesn't hurt it, Chen,” Tim teased.

“I know.” Lucy gritted her teeth.

“You know, because it’s dead,.” he mocked.

“Stop it,” she snapped.

Tim just chuckled and shook his head.

“Now it’s time to break off its feet and cut off the head. We’re gonna snap off the feet at the joints like this.” He proceeded to snap off the two back feet, the breaking noise caused Lucy to cringe even more. “Your turn.”

Lucy grabbed onto the rabbit’s leg and wanted to throw up at the feeling of the raw part one of her hands was touching, but she knew the quicker she did it, the faster it would be done. So she ripped the last two feet off as quickly as possible, trying her best to ignore how it made her feel.

“Good!” Tim exclaimed, trying to hold back his laugh at how pale she looked. “Now you’re gonna gut it.”

“What!?”

“Relax Chen, it’s not that bad. Here’s how you make the incision.” He slit open the rabbit’s sternum. “Now, you don’t want to cut deep and risk spilling the guts.”

He finished and set aside the knife. “Okay, now that we’re done with that, you’re gonna reach down underneath the guts towards the rear of the rabbit, grab them, and pull them out.”

“Oh God,” Lucy whined., “Why do I have to do all the gross stuff?”

“Because, you gotta learn how to survive in case something happens to me.”

Lucy looked at him a little shocked, not even wanting to entertain the idea of something happening to him. But the stern look on his face caused her to refocus on the task at hand.“I thought you said you wouldn’t mind doing this stuff if it meant surviving.” The smug grin returned to his face.

“I don’t!”

“Well then gut the rabbit.”

“I am.”

She hesitated, barely moving her hand towards it.

“I still see its guts in there, Chen.”

“Fine!” She huffed and stuck her hand underneath the rabbit’s guts without hesitation. She wanted to barf at how cold and gross everything felt.

Tim nearly burst out laughing at how her face somehow became even more pale while trying to give him a smug look.

“Okay, now you're gonna pull up and towards the head.” Tim observed Lucy as did what he instructed, very obviously wanting this to be over. “Just like that Chen, keep pulling.”

“Eww eww ewww,” Lucy cried before finally yanking all the guts out.

“Nice job Chen!” Tim praised, but Lucy was dry heaving at all the bloody guts she was still holding. Tim laughed and shook his head.

“Throw them away in that bucket.”

Lucy did as she was told, but then used her hand to balance herself against the wall of the cabin as she tried to compose herself and keep what little food she had down.

“You good?” Tim asked, lips twitching in amusement.

“Shut up!” Lucy placed a hand over her mouth in disgust, still facing away from him. Once when she was confident she wasn’t going to throw up, she turned back to face Tim.

“You know, for your first time you didn’t do so bad,” Tim complimented, head nodding in approval.

“Thanks,” she grumbled.

“It will get easier, I promise,” he reassured her. “Now come on, let’s go in, get you cleaned up and make dinner.” Tim gestured to the cabin.

Lucy followed him inside, stomping her feet on the mat to rid her boots of the evidence of their latest hunt. She shivered at the thought of the poor rabbit, sending a silent prayer of forgiveness out into the universe, in hopes that it would absolve her of her guilt. Still, despite how much the skinning of the rabbit grossed her out, and how much Tim enjoyed it, her confidence level did go up. She proved to herself she could in fact do it and she believed now, they had a chance.

Chapter Text

(Five months later)

“You gonna go for it?”

Lucy’s hushed question sent a shiver down Tim’s spine, the sensation of her lips so close to his ear. He let out a breath before responding in a whisper. “Maybe.”

They were staring down a three pointer buck, his majestic frame a contrast to the wispy surrounding woods. The pair had been following the buck from a distance for the past few minutes, knowing that any meat from him would be enough to feed the both of them for a while.

Ever since they got the freezer working again, they’ve been able to hunt bigger animals like deer and make the meat last longer, meaning they didn’t have to hunt every single day.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” asked Lucy. Tim took a breath and raised his crossbow. He lined up his shot then-

PLANG

The arrow soared straight into the deer’s head, killing it instantly.

“Nice shot,” praised Lucy, her eyes shining with appreciation.

“Thanks, now let’s get this thing home.” They approached the deer, each picking up an end of it, hauling the massive buck through the woods. If you would've asked either of them five months ago if this was how they’d pictured spending their morning, the two of them would’ve laughed. For one, Lucy was the furthest thing away from a skilled hunter. And Tim preferred his meat skinned and prepared before it found its way into his freezer.

About fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the cabin, the prized buck in hand.

“Alright,” Tim said, hands on his hips as he stared at the buck they’d placed on ground next to the cabin. “You can go inside if you want too, I’m gonna stay out here and get this thing skinned, dressed, and quartered.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Lucy responded as she made her way inside. After dumping her gear in her room, Lucy decided she wanted to take a shower.

She took a fresh set of clothes with her into the bathroom and wasted no time ripping off her sweaty ones and hopping in.

The ice cold water drew a gasping breath from her lungs when it hit her skin. The cold showers was another change she was just starting to get use too.

Just like all the other changes with her trauma, with the end of the world, with her feelings towards Tim. Lucy shook that last thought from her mind and began scrubbing all the dirt and sweat off her skin and hair as fast as she could, shivering the entire time before hopping out and wrapping her towel around her, letting it envelope her like a warm hug.

Once done with her ice shower, Lucy got dressed and wandered into the kitchen. The sound of Tim preparing the deer filtered in through the old windows. Feeling antsy and restless, she looked around for something to occupy herself with. Her gaze fell on the pantry, reminding her to go and take inventory of all their food and see if they need to do a supply run sometime soon.

Lucy opened up the cabinets that were stocked full of different varieties of canned foods. She took out her note book and started writing down how much canned meat, veggies, soups, and fruits they had.

As she was nearing the end of the fruits, she noticed a can of fruit cocktail. She smiled to herself as it brought back memories of her making cuppa cuppa with her aunt.

When Lucy was little, her parents would send her to her Aunt Amy’s house on the weekends while they worked. In an effort to make their days interesting, Aunt Amy would always have the two of them watch movies together.

It became their thing—spending the day curled up on the couch together in pajamas, eating popcorn and pizza, drinking soda, and letting themselves get lost in the day with the movie on screen. It was one of the few times in Lucy’s childhood where she felt like she could truly be a kid

On one of those days they watched Steel Magnolias. It was a favorite of Aunt Amy’s, and Lucy remembered how excited her aunt had been when she found out that Lucy had never watched the movie before. When they got to the part where Dolly Parton was talking about her cuppa cuppa recipe, Lucy turned to her aunt and said she wanted to try it. In an instant, Aunt Amy hopped up from the couch, playfully tugging Lucy along with her as they got to work. The pair followed the recipe, which was an easy one to do with a young child. Just a cup of flour, cup of sugar, and a cup of fruit cocktail with the juice that was mixed all together and baked until it was gold and bubbly. Then, just like Dolly recommended, they each had it with a scoop of ice cream. 

It was a cherished memory that quickly became an added tradition to their weekends where Lucy and her Aunt Amy would bake together.

Then it hit her.

She remembered she had found flour and sugar from their last supply run that she persuaded Tim to let her take it. He thought it would be useless, but she was able to make flat bread with just water and flour so he shut up about it afterwards.

Without wasting another moment, Lucy quickly got to work preparing the dessert. She took the cast iron pot from the fireplace and brought it over to the kitchen area where she started prepping the dish. She coated the pot with flour before pouring in the cup of flour, cup of sugar, cup of fruit cocktail with the juice, and then she mixed it all together and brought it back to the fireplace.

Lucy lit the fire before placing the pot on the swinging hook and pushed it over the flame. She took the pincheres they had for the fire wood and placed the smaller burning pieces of wood on top of the lid so the cake would cook evenly. Finally, she went back into the kitchen and cleaned up just as Tim came in.

“Hey,” he greeted.

“Hey!”

Tim brushed past her, hand lingering at the small of her back for a second longer than usual as he made his way to grab the freezer bags.

“What are you making?”

“Cuppa Cuppa.”

“What?”

“Cuppa cuppa. You know, that recipe Dolly Parton comes up with in Steel Magnolias.”

“Ohhhhhh.” Tim nodded, turning around to face her, his eyes lighting up with recognition. “I remember my mom watching that movie.”

“Well, I decided to make some. Figured we could use something sweet, I hope you’re not mad.”

“No,” Tim said as he gave her a small smile. “I think you’re right, it does sound nice. Listen, I’m gonna go outside and bag up all the meat, I’ll be right back.”

He was touched by how thoughtful Lucy was. They’ve been sharing a can of food and whatever they hunted for months now. It was nice to have something a little different for once. That’s when a thought occurred to him. He quickly got all of the meat into bags and brought them inside to place in the freezer. Tim set aside one chunk and placed it in the cast iron skillet. He looked through the cabinets and found what he was looking for. A can of chili beans and a can of tomato sauce.

“Perfect,” he said to himself.

“What are you up to?”

“I am going to make us some chili with the deer meat we have.”

“Wait, really?” Lucy asked, in an almost excited tone.

“Yeah, I figured since you’re making cuppa cuppa, why not make us some chili? You know, treat ourselves just for this one night.” The corner of his mouth pulled into a shy half-smile as Lucy looked at him a little stunned. “What?”

“Nothing, it’s just usually you're so frugal, I’m surprised you're willing to do all of this.”

“Well, I think you and I deserve it. Plus we’ve done pretty well with the hunting, especially you.”

“Why thank you.” Lucy beamed at him. Tim couldn’t help the smile formed on his face as he returned the look to her.

For the last few months, every time he looked at Lucy, he felt his heart start to flutter. It was like being a lovesick teenager all over again—not that he would go as far as to consider this love—his palms would get sweaty and whenever she smiled at him, he could forget about reality for just a moment.

The only other time in his life he can recall feeling like this about someone was when he first met Isabel. But there was no way he was feeling the same way about someone again. Especially when that someone was his boot only a short time ago. It was comical, actually. He turned away from her and looked back at the food he was preparing.

“You should probably go check on your cake,” he suggested, keeping his face hidden from her so that she could not see the slight blush he felt forming on his cheeks.

“Yeah,” Lucy said quietly as she looked away and went to check on the dessert while Tim got to work breaking the meat down into smaller pieces before placing it into the skillet, both trying to ignore the way the moment made them feel.

By the time he had everything assembled in the skillet, Lucy was pulling the pot off the hook and bringing it over to the table. She took off the lid and the aroma of the sweet cake filled the room. Tim and Lucy looked in and it was the perfect shade of golden brown that the movie talked about. Tim nodded in approval before taking his chili over and placing it over the fire. It didn’t take long for the meat to cook before Tim added in the beans and tomato sauce.

Soon, it was ready. He took two bowls and poured the chili in while Lucy cut them each a piece of cake and put it on a plate for them. They sat down with their meals and immediately dug in. Both were salivating as they dug into the chili, savoring every bite, not knowing when the next time they would eat something that tasted this amazing.

“It’s so good to taste something with actual flavor,” Lucy mumbled, her mouth full of food.

“I know.” Tim agreed, “It’s barely flavored but it tastes so good.”

Neither talked much to each other as they wolfed down their food. They each licked their bowls clean before turning to the cuppa cuppa. They bit into it and both almost started crying at how sweet the cake was, with the sugar and fruit practically melting in their mouths.

“I never thought I would miss sweets this much,” Tim half-moaned taking another big bite of cake.

“Me neither. This reminds me of whenever my Aunt and I use to make it when she would watch me while my parents worked,” Lucy said as she also took a big bite.

“My mom used to make my sister and I this.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. When you said you were making cuppa cuppa, I had to make sure I heard you correctly. But growing up, to make us feel better if my dad was acting out, my mom would make us cuppa cuppa, cause she loved that movie and Dolly. It brings back fond memories of her,” Tim sighed, reminiscing on one of the few good moments from his childhood.

“Well, I’m glad, Tim.”

They were sitting in silence for a bit before Tim’s eyes widened.

“Oh shit, I completely forgot.” He stood up abruptly and passed Lucy. “Stay right there.”

She looked at him confused as she saw him race into his bedroom. He emerged a minute later with a bottle of wine in hand. “I found this not too long ago and was saving it in case we ever needed a pick-me-up.”

Lucy squealed with joy as he went and got two cups and filled them both, giving her one as he came and sat back down.

“This was honestly perfect.” She took a sip of her drink, feeling content for the first time in what felt like forever. “I’m glad we did this.”

Tim’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. “Yeah, me too.”

But before Tim could drink, Lucy held up her cup to toast.

“To the end of the world,” she said, repeating the exact words she said to him when they drank in that gas station during the missile crisis, making Tim chuckle at her.

“Whenever that may be,” he replied and they clinked their cups together.

Chapter Text

“Alright, where to today?” Tim asked as he hopped into the shop with Lucy.

Lucy looked down at the list in her hands. “Well for starters we need more canned food. We have about a week’s worth left and while the hunting has been going good, it’s better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.”

“Okay, anything else?”

“Gas and ammo. Shop has about a half a tank left and while we have been conservative with our ammo use, we are starting to run low.”

“Alright so food, gas, and ammo. Where do you think the best place to go for those items would be?”

Lucy pulled out the map and studied it.

“Well, we've already cleaned out any towns near by us, so they're out.”

“Any other options?”

Lucy continued to study the map before pointing to an area between two towns.

“I remember seeing a gun range around here,” she said.

“Think thats a smart place to get ammo?”

“Yeah, probably.” She shrugged, pausing when the realization hit her. “Wait, no. Gun ranges were probably picked clean with in the first week.”

“Which eliminates that as an option. Any other ideas?” Lucy studied the map a bit more carefully before pointing to a rural area about twenty miles away from them.

“I remember seeing ads for a hunting lodge out this way. I think it even said there was a small restaurant built into it. We could probably find all the ammo and food we need there,” she suggested, waiting to see if he agreed with her statement. She saw him do what she has dubbed his “frown nod” a look he typically did whenever she did something he approved of.

“Not bad, Chen. We’ll syphon gas from any vehicles we see on the way back.”

Lucy saw him smirk as he buckled up. That’s when it dawned on her.

“Was this some type of elaborate Tim Test?” Her face scrunched up in disbelief.

He looked at her smugly, a playfull retort on his tongue. “What? We’re in the middle of the apocalypse. Gotta have my fun and keep you on you’re toes somehow.” Lucy let out a huff and rolled her eyes, though she had a grin as she did so.

About thirty minutes later Lucy and Tim pulled the shop over on the side of the road about a mile from the lodge. They walked down the deserted road with their weapons drawn. Abandoned cars with rotting corpses lined the road. The cracks in the pavement had small weeds growing out of them, and even a road sign was beginning to rust. It shocked Tim and Lucy at how abandoned the world looked in just a few short months.

As they got closer, they hunkered down behind some foliage to scope out the place from a distance.

“Whats the plan?” asked Lucy.

“I’d say we hit the restaurant first and nab any canned food we can find. Then we’ll go into the main lodge, go through rooms and collect ammo or anything else that might be useful.”

“Alright, how much longer till we go in?”

“Lets give it a few more minutes, see if anyone enters or leaves.”

“Okay,” said Lucy. They hadn’t seen any humans since the outbreak started. Everyone was either secluded, in a quarantine zone, or dead.

“Ever do anything like this during one of your military days?” Lucy asked, eyeing him curiously.

“What, scope a place out for food?”

“No,” Lucy chuckled. “But hide and wait to see what kinda activity was going on before entering somewhere.”

“Kinda,” he answered. “I mean we had drones and guys with scopes that could see several miles out. So we could get up real close and see what was going on without physically putting ourselves there.” Lucy nodded at his response. “I will say though, if you had actually gotten the chance, steakouts were like this.”

“Wait, really?” asked Lucy.

Tim nodded “Yeah, I mean again, not sitting around for food, but sitting outside a warehouse or some motel for god knows how long waiting to see if the guy you're after shows up or not. Or even scoping out a place before a metro raid. It can get kinda boring, so you wanna make sure you have the right partner.”

“Oh what, like me?” Lucy asked as she batted her eye lashes.

“I said a good partner, not a talkative one,” he retorted playfully. Lucy scoffed and lightly smacked his shoulder, but there was no malice behind it.

“Ass,” she mumbled, making Tim snicker.

“But all joking aside, you would've been good on a stakeout. You have good cop eyes, pick up on things quickly, and have great instincts. Plus your snack choices aren’t terrible.”

Lucy let out a laugh at that one.

“Really, that matters on a stakeout?”

“Trust me when I say you do not want to be in the same car as someone who’s choice of snack smells or gives them bad gas.”

“Oh god,” Lucy laughed, her nose scrunching up in disgust.

Tim couldn’t help himself as he let out a laugh as well.

“But still, you would’ve been good at it. I wouldn’t have complained too much having you as a partner.”

Lucy just shook her head and smiled at him. He looked at her too. This always seemed to happen between them. A moment in time where the rest of the world faded away as they locked into each other and stared. It seemed as though these moments were happening more and more between them, but that’s all it was. Just a moment before one of them would glance away and break it. Tim broke it this time, as he looked away and back at the lodge.

“I’d say it’s safe to go in now. Remember, keep low and we’re hitting the restaurant first. The front door shouldn’t be too hard to break into. We’ll head to the kitchen, take as much as we can, then head into the lodge.” Tim grew serious, his voice commanding as he spoke.

“Copy that,” replied Lucy.

“On me.” Tim motioned and the pair made their way down to the restaurant. Once they got there, Tim gave the door a little push with his crossbow drawn as it slowly swung open with a creak.
They made their way through the restaurant, just like they did countless times as a rookie and TO when they would search a building. They approached the kitchen doors with their backs pressed up against the walls. Lucy looked to Tim as he silently counted off before they breached the door and did a quick scan of the kitchen.

“Clear,” Lucy called out.

“Clear,” Tim repeated. They looked around and noticed while there wasn’t a ton of canned food, there was enough to last them a while. “Okay, grab whatever you can and start stuffing it in your bag.”

Lucy nodded and went to work. She grabbed cans of peaches, green beans, carrots, chili, and anything she and Tim could get their hands on. They finished stuffing their backpacks with still enough room for ammo.

“Alright,” Tim breathed out, his hands on his hips as he took a last minute mental inventory of the space. “I saw a door that led to the lodge when we entered. We can get in, search everything, and be out within the hour, sound like a plan?” Lucy nodded at his words. “Good.”

They took out their crossbows and made their way slowly down the corridor of the hotel. It was dark and dingy, with a lonely light still flickering. Something deep in their guts did not feel right, but they both ignored the feeling, desperately needing the supplies they came for.

As they approached the lobby, they slowly exited, careful of the fatal funnel as they made their way through the doorway. When they entered the dark and decrepit lobby, it looked like any recently abandoned building you would see online, with dust thick in the air. The front desk was to the immediate left of them with a large wooden staircase covered in carpet further away on the right. The space was massive and open enough that they could see the next three floors above them.

“Check it out,” Lucy whispered as she pointed to the center of the lobby. There, sat about five backpacks all in a circle with folding chairs and the remains of an old camp fire.

“Go see if you can find anything, but be careful, Chen.”

Lucy nodded and made her way to the supplies, with Tim standing guard right by her. Tim studied the area around them, still sensing something was off. He slipped his crossbow behind him and took out his gun.

“What is it?” Lucy asked, noticing the way his body seemed to coil up in attention. She also put away her crossbow and took out her gun.

Tim’s jaw tightened. “Something doesn't feel right.”

“I know.” She wondered out loud. “Who would leave all this stuff out in the middle like this?”

Then it dawned on him.

It was a trap.

And just as he had that realization a glint caught his eye from the second floor balcony.

“GET DOWN!!!” Tim shouted as he fired a shot. Soon bullets started firing at them from every direction. Tim fired back as he ran, shielding Lucy and got them behind the front desk.

“Get them, they’re behind the desk!!!” Tim heard a man yell.

“Shit, we're surrounded!” Tim swore under his breath.

Lucy took a quick glance and studied the distance between them and the staircase. She looked above the desk and noticed men were only coming after them from the first floor. She fired some shots at them, forcing them to take cover.

“If we can make it towards those stairs, we’ll have the higher ground, make our way to a fire exit and get the hell out!” She shouted over the gun fire as she took cover again.

“Okay.” He turned and fired more shots, hitting one man before more fired at them. “You go first, I’ll cover you.”

“What!? No Tim, I can cover you!”

“Look, you’re fast and have stellar aim.”

“So do you!” Lucy argued, her voice tightening as she tried to get him to see reason.

Tim saw a man out of the corner of his eye behind Lucy. He shoved her down and shot at him, taking him out.

“Look, I’ll be right behind you and then as soon as you get to the second floor, take cover and fire, okay?”

“Tim–”

“There’s no time to argue, it’s a good plan and we will make it through this.” He cupped her face with one of his hands, forcing her to lock eyes and focus on him, showing her how determined he was to have them both make it, especially her. Lucy gave him a firm nod and Tim took a breath as he lowered his hand back to his gun. He took one last look at Lucy before he readied himself.

“NOW!” He yelled and immediately started firing at the men. Lucy took off towards the stairs, having to fire off a shot or two herself. She got to the top in record time and started firing at the men.

“GO!” She screamed, giving Tim the chance to run.

“Keep firing Lucy!! I’m almost there!!!” He called out as he reached the base of the stairs. He was almost halfway up when he heard a shout.

“TAKE THAT YOU ASSHOLE!!!” Tim looked up just in time to see a wisp of amber fly in front of him and he knew what was coming next.

“LUCY GET DOWN!!!!” He yelled and just as he dove out of the way, a molotov cocktail landed right in front of him, igniting the staircase on fire, separating him from Lucy.

Chapter Text

“LUCY RUN!!!!” screamed Tim as he descended from the fire.

“Tim!?” He heard Lucy call out to him, but couldn’t see her through the flames.

“JUST GET OUT, I’LL DISTRACT THEM, GO!!!!” He got back down fully and saw the men across the lobby aim their guns up towards Lucy and started firing.

“I’m right here assholes!!! Come and get me!!!” He yelled, he saw the men turn and he shot at them as they took cover. Tim went to run down another hall, but was blocked off by three men. He gunned them down quickly and took off down the corridor, causing the remaining men to pursue him. Tim ran as fast as could down the hall, turning every once in a while to return fire, as he ducked behind doorways and anything else he could hide behind.

He saw an open doorway and made his way inside. Seeing he ended up in an old dive bar, he quickly jumped behind the counter and got down. The men who were chasing him came in only seconds after that.

“Where is he?” asked one of the men gruffly.

“He has to be hiding around here somewhere. You take the left side, I’ll cover the right.”

Tim knew he was on the right side of the dive bar. He pressed himself horizontally against the shelves behind the bar along the side closest to the men. He could tell these men were more likely from a militia and had no sense in actual fighting other than pulling a trigger. So he knew they wouldn’t be smart enough to check the area properly when searching a room.

AKA, checking the wall or hidden area closest to you cause that’s where the guy you’re after most likely is.

Tim softened and steadied his breathing to where it was barely there. He could hear the heavy footsteps of the guy getting closer and closer. He tightened his grip on the gun, but kept it close to himself so as to not give himself away. He saw the guy’s arms first, sticking out over the bar with a rifle. He had to wait just a second longer, then he would be ready. As soon as the first part of the man’s face came into view—

BANG

Tim watched as the man immediately collapsed.

“What the-”

BANG

BANG

Tim hardly gave the other man a chance to speak before he threw himself off the ground and fired two shots into his chest, not even giving him the opportunity to fire back. One of the shots sailed right on through him, causing the window he was standing in front of to shatter.

Tim started to make his way around the bar to collect supplies from the men when someone said, “I heard shots! This way!”

“Oh, shit!” Tim swore to himself as he ducked down behind the ledge on the bar’s outer side. He wasn’t completely concealed this time, but he had enough coverage to see around himself. He watched as two more men ran in and went to the window while a third hung by the doorway.

“Shit, he killed Mark and Leon!” Said the new man.

“Probably escaped out the window,” said another.

“Think he went far?” Asked the third. One of the men stuck his whole upper body out the window and looked around. Tim had his gun ready, waiting again for the right moment.

“He might have,” said the man turning his head away from the window and back towards the others “I don’t see– oh AHHHHHHHH!!!” Tim watched in horror as a zombie appeared out of nowhere and sank his teeth into the man’s neck as he flailed, trying to get it off.

“Oh CHRIST!!” Yelled the other man by the window. He held his gun up to shoot, but then another zombie ran up. He tried to fire a shot into his chest, but it did no good as the zombie pounced on him and began ripping him to shreds as the man screamed bloody murder.

“OH FUCK!!” Tim heard the man by the doorway scream before he took off running as three more zombies crawled through the widow and went after the man. Tim waited till they all had passed, then he stood and fired two shots, one into each zombie’s head.

He took out his knife and stabbed it into the heads of the victims before they had a chance to reanimate. He checked all the bodies for any supplies he could use. He found several magazines and two knives that could come in handy. As he was checking the body of the man whose death caused the window to break, he heard a grumble. Tim looked and saw the dead man’s eyes open. They had the same yellow look as the zombies did.

“What the–” but Tim didn’t have time to finish the thought before the man lunged at him, snapping his teeth and snarling at Tim causing him to drop all of the supplies he had just grabbed. Tim used all the strength he could to hold it off, but the fucker was strong. Tim switched to one arm, as he desperately searched for one of the knives he grabbed. He could hear the teeth snapping, mere centimeters away from his skin when he felt a handle, grabbed the knife, and slammed it into the zombie’s skull. He did several times as he shoved the zombie off, adrenaline fueling him as he made sure the man stayed dead this time.

When Tim finally realized the man was dead once again, he launched himself away as fast as he could, just incase, but the man stayed gone this time. Tim looked down at the zombie and was breathing heavily as he watched the zombified man’s blood pool around him.

He caught his breath as the adrenaline wore off. Checking himself for bites, he breathed a sigh of relief when he realized he was fine. At that moment, a new realization struck him. The man who attacked him was never bitten.

“I guess this is like the walking dead,” he mumbled to himself. No matter how you die, via zombie or not, you come back as one. Tim now knows how the characters felt. The sickening realization that once you die, you become one of the dead. However, a new sinking feeling of dread took over when he remembered what caused him to end up there in the first place.

“Lucy,” he whispered to himself. He collected his supplies in a hurry and exited the dive bar. There were some loud noises coming from upstairs. He looked to his left and saw a fire escape. Tim barreled through the door and ran up the stairs when he suddenly heard a scream. Without a second to lose, Tim took off down the corridor he heard the screams coming from.

“Don’t worry Lucy, I’m coming.”

(A few minutes earlier)

“TIM!!!” Lucy called out to him, but soon bullets started flying and she ducked behind a pillar. She heard Tim shout and watched as he gunned down some men and ran off down a corridor with more men pursuing him. She knew she had to get to him. Lucy figured if she got down to the first floor and came in the opposite way, she could come up behind the men and give a surprise attack. So Lucy took off down the opposite corridor on the second floor. She saw a door at the end she knew was a fire escape.

“Perfect,” she said to herself. She made her way quickly down the corridor and reached the door. However, as soon as she placed her hand on the handle, it swung open and hit her in the face.

She fell to the ground with a huff of surprise that was quickly replaced with terror as she felt a hand grab her and lift her by her neck. Goosebumps raised on her skin as she looked into her captor eyes, finding that same icy glare Caleb did right as he closed the trunk of his car on her.

Her breath stuttered in her lungs, throat burning as his grip tightened. Determined to not be a victim a second time, she tried to fight him off, using every ounce of strength within her to create distance.

Lucy reached for her belt and pulled out her knife and stabbed the man in the crook of his elbow. He howled in pain, releasing his hold on her in an instant. Then for good measure and remembering what happened last time she didn’t incapacitate a man trying to kill her, she took her knife and stabbed him in the knee and popped off his knee cap.

The man screamed bloody murder as she turned and ran. She made it several feet before she heard him get up behind her, attempting to run after her. She could hear him thumping down the hall as he dragged his injured body towards her. Spotting some doors, Lucy shook the handles to the rooms, hoping to find one to hide in.

“Come on, come on,” Lucy muttered to herself as she checked each handle. Then she felt one turn and flew into the room, before turning and slamming the door closed as fast as she could. However, the man managed to wedge his arm through and started fighting against Lucy with the door.

Lucy tried her hardest but then the man threw himself against the door, forcing Lucy back once again. She fell back and hit the edge of the bed, making her vision blur for a second. She quickly pulled her gun out and pointed it at the man. Lucy saw that he had hit the ground too when he shoved the door open. When he looked up and saw her pointing a gun at him, he let out a chuckle.

“You ain't got the balls, sweetheart,” he said menacingly.

“I do, and I will. So don’t make me pull this trigger,” Lucy replied, her voice icy and firm.

He only let out another chuckle.

“This will be fun,” the man grunted, before using all the strength he had left to lunge at her.

BANG

BANG

BANG

Lucy fired the gun at the man as he made his way towards her. She watched as his eyes went wide with each hit. One in his good remaining knee, and two in his chest. He fell and landed on top of Lucy. She quickly shoved him off of her and kept her gun on him. Then, she saw the blank stare he had.

He’s dead. She thought to herself. You killed him.

And then it really hit her. He’s dead, you killed him.

The thought shook Lucy to her core. She had never killed anyone before. She noticed her hands had splashes of the man’s blood on her and she quickly dropped her gun.

“Oh god,” Lucy whispered to herself as she aggressively started rubbing her hands against her jeans.

Then the hotel room door burst open. She looked in horror and saw another man standing there.

“Hey Dennis, did you get the….what the fuck?” The man said, looking at the corpse on the floor in front of him as he turned towards Lucy.

“You…You killed my brother…How…how could you. You... you … you FUCKING BITCH! HOW COULD YOU?” Before Lucy could make a move, the brother came and lifted her by her hair and Lucy let out a blood curdling scream. She felt a knife get pressed against her throat as he wrapped an arm around her neck and pulled her back against his chest.

“I’m gonna make you pay for what you did, bitch,” he hissed into her ear.

“What, killing me, really original,” Lucy sneered.

“Oh, I will, but that will come later. But first, I’m gonna have my fun with you.”

Lucy felt her body go numb. She knew what fun meant.

“Not a chance in hell.”

She sank her teeth into his wrist. The man yelped and nearly dropped his knife as Lucy threw her back against him and shoved him into the corridor, hitting him against the wall. But despite all of that, he kept his grip on her and the knife.

“Get the hell off me!” Lucy grunted.

“No, you’re gonna pay for what you did!”

“You son of a bitch!!” Lucy screamed as she tried to keep the knife away.

“Oh trust me, I’ll give you a reason to call me even worse names.”

Lucy let out another scream.

“LET HER GO!” A voice boomed, increasing the tension of the situation tenfold.

They both froze and Lucy breathed a sigh of relief, even though the man’s grip tightened and felt the knife press more firmly against her throat.

“Tim,” she sighed. He stood there with an stone cold glare in his eyes. A protective fire coarse through.

“Let her go. Now!” He stated firmly.

“No,” said the man. “She killed my brother!”

“Well considering you all set a trap for us to lure us in to kill us, I’d say you all had it coming. Now, let her go. I won’t ask you again.” The ominous and low tone of Tim’s voice sent shrivers down Lucy’s spine.

“No, cause the moment I let her go, you’ll kill me. And I know you won’t shoot me on the account you might hit her.” But then, a cynical smile took over the man’s face. “However, I am willing to bet you value your life more, so I’ll make you a deal. You walk away and forget about her. Let me have her. Then you at the very least know you get to keep your life.”

Despite herself, Lucy couldn’t help but let out a little whimper as Tim tightened his grip on his gun and his look grew darker and colder. “Not a chance in hell.”

“Come on, she’s just a woman.” The man rolled his eyes and scoffed. “All she is gonna do in this world is drag you down. And I know you’ve probably had your fun with her since this whole thing started, but this broad can’t be worth dying over. Just leave here with your life, and I’ll tell whoever is left to not follow you and to leave you alone. But if you don’t leave, I’ll call out to whoever is left, let them deal with you.”

Tim’s next words came without hesitation. “I’ll kill as many of you as I have to if it means saving her.”

Tim noticed that behind the man’s feet, was a zombie crawling out from the room the pair had just came from. He realized if he got the man to back up just enough, the zombie would bite him and he could save Lucy.

“Come on, just turn around and leave. Then it’s like you never met her.”

Tim got closer and the man backed up. “That’s not gonna happen. I won’t let you take her.”

He inched forward some more and the man backed up even further, pulling Lucy closer to his body.

“I mean, sure, she is pretty, but a bitch in the apocalypse ain’t worth it.”

“She will always be worth it. To me.”

“I mean, come on, how many times have you had to save her so far?”

“It doesn’t matter, I’ll keep doing it, even if it kills me, cause her life is worth it to me.”

“Tim,” Lucy’s voice quivered as she let out a little cry.

Tim had the man right where he wanted him. The zombie was an inch away. Just a little further.

“Well then I guess you’ll see each other in hell.” The man raised his knife to slit Lucy’s throat when she elbowed him hard, causing him to stumble back and right into the zombie’s grasp. The man screamed as the zombie bit down hard on his ankle, causing him to let go of Lucy.

“DUCK!” Tim shouted.

Lucy dove out of the way, giving Tim space to shoot both the man and the zombie. She looked to the two new corpses and started shaking when she felt a pair of hands grab her shoulders. She went to jump back but turned and saw Tim.

“Hey, hey, hey. Easy. It’s just me. Just me,” he said softly.

“Tim.” Lucy shuddered, tears filling her eyes as he pulled her into his chest.

“Shhhhhh, shhhhh. It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re safe, I got you, you’re safe,” he whispered, holding her tenderly against him.

Lucy relished in being in the safety of Tim’s arms as he began to rock her whispering comforting words to her. But a realization soon dawned on her about what the man said.

“How many times have you had to save her?”

“She’s only good for one thing, and that’s getting you killed.”

That’s when it hit her. How many times has Tim had to save her?

First it was Caleb, and now this? Almost kidnapped again in less than a year. How many times can one person get taken and need to be rescued?

Not to mention, they couldn’t even stay and fight and do their jobs when the apocalypse started cause she got hurt and he had to save her then too. How did she think she could ever be a cop? She was nothing but a damsel in destress. The thought made her feel ill and she started to pull away.

“Lucy?” Tim’s brow furrowed as he felt her stiffen in his embrace.

“I’m fine,” she insisted.

“Lucy-”

“I said I’m fine!” She snapped as she pulled back from him when he tried to pull her in again. “Let’s..Let’s just collect these guy’s ammo and get out of here.”

Tim only nodded, shocked by her complete 180. It was like a switch went off and she now wasn’t allowing herself to feel emotions. And it was that fact that scared Tim the most. Lucy, who was so open about her emotions and what she was feeling, who pushed him to be open about his emotions to the point it pissed him off, was now shutting him down and refusing to look him in the eye. He wanted to push her like she pushed him, but he knew now wasn’t the time to say anything, they had to get the hell out of here.

They grabbed ammo, weapons, and food off the two men and even went back down to the lobby and collected everything they could, while being on the look out for any remaining militia members or zombies. After all was said and done, they walked silently back to the shop. They got in and Tim noticed a far away look in Lucy’s eyes.

“Lucy, if you need to talk-”

“I said I’m fine, Tim,” she snapped at him once more both exhausted and anger evident in her expression. “Please, let’s just go home.”

And although his worries were eating away at him, Tim could only nod at her as the started the long, quiet drive back to the cabin.

Chapter Text

Tim was worried about Lucy.

She hadn’t said a word to him since they got back from the lodge. She would stay in her room all day and only came out to eat and use the bathroom. Tim would try different things to get her to talk to him, but it all seemed in vain.

On the third day of her seclusion, Tim decided to show her the latest figurine he had made. In the past few months since the apocalypse started, he had taken up carving figurines out of wood and bone as a way to entertain himself. Lucy used to like seeing his different creations and would be impressed by what he did more and more. He had hoped his latest creation would have some type or response.

“Hey Lucy,” he said after he knocked softly on her door and opened it. “I just finished my latest bone carving, and I wanted to show it to you.” Tim noticed her blank stare as she stared at the wall in front of her. He sat on the edge of the bed and held out his figurine to her.

“I was thinking of you when I made this. It’s a goose mid-flight. It’s kinda like how you are. Always flying and ready to take on what’s next. And I know you’re probably thinking any bird can do that, but I chose a goose for you, and don’t shoot me for saying this, but I did so because of your name.”

No response.

“You know, like the age-old nickname, Lucy Goosey? I didn’t know if you liked being called that or not, it’s never been brought up, but I had a little chuckle when I thought of it,” he let out a quiet laugh, hoping to elicit some type of response. But alas, nothing.

“Anyways, I want you to have it. Just to know I’m thinking about you.” He looked at her, silently begging for her to say something. “I’m just gonna set it here on your night stand.” He stood up and placed the bird down, facing towards her.

He looked down at Lucy, desperately wishing there was something he could do to pull her out of this funk. So he did the only thing he could. He reached down and pulled her blanket from her waist and tucked it around her shoulders. He took a strand of one of her baby hairs, that always seemed to come loose whenever she had her hair up in her braided bun, and tucked it gently behind her ear. “I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

As he stared at her, there was this overwhelming feeling to place a kiss on her forehead that took over. The TO part of him that was still in there screamed at him not to, but some other, much stronger part said yes. Feeling his self control slip, he placed his hand on the top of her head, leaned in, and gave her the most tender and softest kiss he could muster.

When he eventually pulled away, he saw the blank stare on her face hadn’t changed. He sighed as he let his thumb rub against her temple briefly, before he got up and he left the room.

That first attempt was now three days ago and Tim had tried everything since then. Making her more figurines or trying to talk to her about what books she had been reading that she managed to find. But nothing. And Tim was running out of ideas of what to do.

_

Even though it may not have seemed like it, Lucy had noticed what Tim was trying to do, and while she appreciated it, she couldn’t help but think it was another way of proving how useless she was. The words the man told Tim as he held her hostage kept running through her head over and over again, like a broken record. Screaming at her about how worthless she was, how Tim would die trying to save her, how he’ll have a better shot at survival without her. And while the man didn’t know their story, he was right.

Tim has done nothing but save her. He saved her from Caleb, he saved her from the man holding her hostage—hell, the whole reason they were out here in the first place was because he had to save her at the start after she stupidly got injured. She couldn’t even be an actual cop and fight, which subsequently led him to fleeing with her and not fighting the zombies that had taken over their home.

Once again Tim Bradford had to save Lucy Chen. She never wanted to be a damsel in distress, but that is what she was. Who was she to think she could ever become a cop? And now, it seemed like he was trying to save her again. He was always in her room, giving her his figurines, lining them up on her nightstand, hoping to get a response, but he never could.

And of course, Lucy couldn’t bring herself to tell him that she wasn’t fine because he would try and save her. She could never tell him that she feels useless cause she knows he would lie and tell her she wasn't. She could never tell him that the safest she felt was with him, especially when he wrapped his arms around her and held her head against his chest, because right now, she’s a danger to him.

She couldn’t even tell him that her favorite figurine was the goose and that, yes, she hates being called “Lucy Goosey” but from him, for some reason, she found it endearing. And she especially couldn’t tell him that the kiss on the forehead was the most caring kiss she had ever received. If Lucy did tell him, it might make her think she was falling for him, and she refuses to be the damsel girl who falls for the hero guy.

But there was one thing she could say, one thing she could do. The one and only thing she can do to save and protect Tim.

She could leave.

Tell him she was leaving, for his own good. That it would be better for them if she goes. Sure, she wouldn’t make it far, but at least Tim would now have a better chance. A chance to survive, as long as she isn’t here. Then Tim would be safe from her.

_

She hears Tim talking as they are sitting and eating dinner, Lucy savoring what she thinks is probably gonna be her last meal. She can hear Tim trying to make conversation with her, but she can’t hear what he is saying over her own thoughts. Lucy is nervous, knowing he’s gonna fight back, but she has to be strong through this. She feels the words about to burst out, but she can’t make her mouth open.

I’m leaving

I’m leaving

I’m leaving

“I’m leaving.”

She heard Tim go silent, signaling to her that the words finally came out.

“What?” His voice was colored in confusion, as though he had misheard.

Lucy turned to look at him and saw the wide-eyed worried expression he wore on his face.

“I’m leaving,” she repeated herself.

“What?” Tim asked, flabbergasted. “Why do you want to leave?”

“Because, Tim, I’m a threat to you. It would be better if I just left.”

“Lucy-”

“Look, Tim, I appreciate everything you have done for me, but it’s too dangerous for me to stay here with you. I’m a threat to you, okay?” She choked out, tears filling her eyes.

“What!?” He exclaimed, face scrunching up into something adjacent to anger. “No you’re not!”

“Yes I am, you heard what that guy said when he held me hostage. The only thing I’ll be good for is getting you killed!”

“Lucy, you won’t get me killed.”

“Yes I will.”

“No you wont.”

“Yes I will!”

“Lucy, no you-”

“YES, I WILL TIM!!!” She shouted, her body vibrating with both fear and rage. “I AM NOTHING BUT A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS AND I AM GOING TO GET YOU KILLED!! SO DO US BOTH A FAVOR AND LET ME GO!!”

She had hot tears streaming down her face as she breathed heavily, looking at him. Tim could only stare at her stunned, before he turned and grabbed his bag and threw it on.

“Get your bag,” he stated firmly.

“Tim, you’re not coming with me.” She tried to reason, but all he did was roll his eyes, grab her bag, and shove it in her arms.

“We’re not leaving.”

Lucy looked at him confused.

“I am going to take you somewhere that I used to go to clear my head. We’ll spend some time there and if you still want to go, you can leave in the morning. But just trust me on this, okay?” He pleaded, grasping her hand in his tightly.

Lucy nodded and Tim looked satisfied as he turned toward the door. Lucy threw her backpack on and followed him out of the cabin.

They had been hiking for a few miles through an area of the forest Lucy had not seen yet.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see. I’m hoping it’s still there.”

Lucy looked at him confused.

“What do you mean if it’s still there?”

“Well it’s old. But if it’s not there, I’ll think of a plan B.”

They hiked for a few more miles before she heard Tim sigh with relief, “Perfect.”

Lucy looked up and saw what looked like an old tree house with small windows on the side.

“What is it?” she asked.

“It was a thing my grandfather built for us to stay in when we were hunting for the day in this area. Come on.” he motioned with his head towards the hunting stand.

“How do we know someone isn’t in there?”

“Cause we would’ve been shot by now.”

They climbed up the ladder and made their way into the small structure. Lucy sat down with her back against the wall let out a loud sigh. Tim sat next to her.

“You wanna tell me what’s going on in that big brain of yours?” He asked as he tucked some hair back into her braid. Lucy let out a little laugh.

“You think I’m smart?" She mocked.

“Eh, you’re not the dumbest rookie I’ve trained.”

Lucy huffed out an oh my god that turned into a laugh as she rolled her eyes at him.

“So, you wanna talk about it?” He asked after a few moments.

“You’re not gonna let me leave unless I do, right?” She questioned as she turned to face him.

“Nope!” He emphasized the ‘p’ as his lips twitched up into a smug smile. “Come on, what’s been bothering you? You’ve secluded yourself to your room. You only come out to eat and use the bathroom, you won’t talk to me. And based on what you said back at the cabin, does it have something to do with what happened at the lodge?”

Lucy remained silent and only nodded in reply.

Tim’s brow furrowed as he went through all of the possible reasons in his mind. “I mean, did it trigger memories from Caleb? Did you think it was all your fault because you came up with the idea to go there?”

“It’s not only all of that, Tim.” She took a breath. “It’s the fact that you saved me.”

Tim paused for a moment, confused.

“Do you not want me too?”

“No, it’s the fact that it keeps happening,” her voice tightened at the admission. “I almost got taken and killed, again, and you had to swoop in and save me. Just like you had to save me from Caleb. I mean, the only reason we are out here is because you had to save me when the apocalypse started after I got hurt. I couldn’t even stay and fight like I was supposed to. Who was I to think that I would make a good cop? And like that man said, I’ll only be good for one thing, getting you killed. So, that’s why I think it’s best for me to go.” Lucy closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall in an effort to stop the tears from flowing that were building up.

“Well I guess I’m too pathetic to be a cop and survive in this as well,” stated Tim matter of factly.

“What?” Lucy turned to him, eyes wide with bewilderment.

“Yeah, because I had to have a hippie rookie save me during their second day on the job after I got shot. Who was that rookie again?”

“Me,” Lucy grumbled, annoyed.

“Right, and who was it that saved me from breaking the law to protect my addicted wife?”

“Also me, but-”

“And who was it that had to save my dumbass after I decided to go out by myself into a populated area to look for supplies after the apocalypse started and nearly got mauled by zombies?”

“Me.” Lucy looked down towards her feet, a soft chuckle escaping her.

“See,” said Tim. “You’ve saved me a lot too, Lucy. I would even argue that you saved us inadvertently when you got injured and I had to get you out of the city. Cause I don’t know how many zombie shows or movies you’ve watched before living in the actual apocalypse, but things never go well in the government quarantine zones. In fact, the people who do the best are ones like us. Alone and secluded. And if us saving each other makes us incapable, then we can be incapable together.”

Lucy gave him a small smile at that last remark, before looking away.

“Lucy.” Tim reached over and gently took hold of her chin and lifted her head so she could look at him. “You are by far the most capable and strongest person I know and there is no one I would rather survive with other than with you.”

“Thank you, Tim,” she whispered to him.

“No problem.”

Tim bent Lucy’s chin slightly downward. Lucy closed her eyes as Tim placed a light kiss on her forehead. When she opened her eyes and locked hers with his, she could see something akin to longing in them. Her gaze glanced down to his lips before finding his eyes once more. All the while, Tim still kept his gentle grip on her chin.

Lucy leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his as they both closed their eyes. His breath shuttered as he moved his hand from her chin to cup her cheek, causing her to lean into his grasp. She remained still as she felt him move close enough that the tips of their noses barely brushed.

It was intimate in a way they hadn’t been with each other yet, but for some reason, even as her heart raced, she couldn’t help but feel at ease.

Something inside of her was burning to give into her buried feelings and close the gap, but before either of them could, they were interrupted by a howl not too far off. They broke apart and looked towards the direction of the noise before looking back at one another.

“Come on.” Tim reluctantly increased the distance between them by a few inches before standing up. “We should probably head back.”

“Right,” Lucy quietly agreed. He offered her his hand to help her up and then they both made their way out.

_

Lucy and Tim walked in awkward silence back to the cabin. Both replayed the moment in their heads, each one questioning and scared about how close they got, how it made each of them feel when their thoughts were interrupted at the sound of a twig snapping. Tim stuck his arm out in front of Lucy and stopped her.

“What was that?” Lucy asked, breaking the lingering silence.

Tim was silent for a moment as his eyes scanned the direction the noise came from. “I don’t know, but we should probably get moving.”

Tim moved his arm from in front of her and placed his hand on her back, urging her forward, quickening their pace. Lucy looked ahead at their surroundings, scanning everything, then–

BANG

“AHHH!” Tim bellowed in pain as he fell to the ground.

“TIM!!” Lucy screamed. She took her gun from its holster, locating the man who shot Tim and shot him twice in the head without hesitation.

“Fall In!! FAll IN!!” Another man yelled as more men advanced on them.

Catching a glimpse of a large boulder out of the corner of her eye, Lucy grabbed Tim, dragging him towards it as he fired at the men who were advancing on them. She propped Tim up behind the rock before standing and firing two more shots as bullets began flying at them again.

She crouched next to Tim for cover as the men continued to fire rounds at them. “Where!?” She demanded as she started to examine him.

“Right above my hip,” Tim grunted, pointing to his right hip.

Lucy took his hands and had him place pressure on it. “Keep pressure on it, I’m gonna lore these guys away!”

“No, Lucy-” Tim tried to reach for her, but she took off behind a tree.

“Hey assholes!!” She yelled, bringing the focus of the five remaining men onto her. She fired again, hitting another guy in the head as she ran behind another boulder for more cover.

Now Lucy was down to four men. She saw two running for cover behind another array of rocks. Lucy fired at them, killing both. Then she sprinted behind another array, hearing bullets wiz past her as she ducked. As she peaked out behind her new cover, she saw a gun fire from behind the rock where Tim was and watched as another man went down.

Now it was down to just one. She watched as the lone survivor looked around at all of his friends who were gunned down in a matter of seconds. Lucy could see the rage building up in him.

“I’m gonna kill you bitch!”

Lucy watched as the man got closer and closer to her, looking behind the various rocks. She went to fire from behind her cover when she heard her gun click.

“Shit!” Lucy mumbled to herself. She scanned the area around her looking for more cover and saw a knocked down tree a few feet in front of her. Without wasting a second, she ran and dove behind it.

Not even a moment, later the guy appeared. Lucy watched him through the cracks in the log as he hunted her. Lucy’s eyes went wide in horror when she saw the man notice the knocked down tree too.

When he moved towards it, Lucy realized there was a hole in the side big enough for her to fit through. She crawled in and kept her sweaty back pressed up against the outer side so he wouldn’t see her. Lucy heard his footsteps, her heart racing as she readied her knife. He stopped and Lucy knew he could see the hole. She held her breath as she looked to the side and saw the tip of his rifle slowly lower into her view. Lucy knew he would see her soon, she just had to wait for the right moment.

Then, as soon as his wrist came into view, Lucy lunged forward, grabbed the rifle, pushed it up, then stabbed him repeatedly in the wrists.

He screamed, and yanked up, inadvertently pulling Lucy out as well. She yanked the rifle down and away, and in a swift motion. The man snarled as he lunged at her, causing her to pull the trigger and fired a shot into his head. Lucy breathed heavily after he dropped  to the ground before she remembered.

Tim.

She quickly got up and made her way over to Tim. By the time she reached him, his face was deathly pale as he turned to look at her.

“Oh my god,” she gasped as she collapsed next to him and started searching for the first aid kit in her bag.

“Lucy,” he rasped out.

“Don’t worry, I’m okay. Not even a scratch.” Lucy threw everything out of her bag in a desperate attempt to find it. When she did, she yanked it out and ripped it open to take out the gauze to seal off the wound.

“After you seal off the wound, go grab their stuff,” Tim moaned in pain.

“Tim, we won’t have time, you’ll bleed out.”

“Then hide it behind this rock, but we need to take what we can.”

Lucy nodded. She collected all five backpacks and hid them behind the rock before helping Tim to his feet. She supported both of their weights as she walked them back to the cabin.

When they got back, Tim’s legs gave out and he crumpled to the floor, half conscious. Lucy stuck her arms around his side and heaved him back to his feet as she got him to his bed and laid him down.

Lucy went and grabbed the sutures kit and then cleaned her hands as best as she could before coming back to Tim.

“You’re gonna have to tell me what to do to stop the bleeding,” her voice shook in a poor attempt at trying to hide her panic.

“Okay, just keep pressure on it, is there a lot of blood?”

“Define a lot.”

“Is it gushing or spraying?”

“No!”

“Then that’s good, it means it didn’t hit anything vital. Now, stitch it up, just like how I taught you,” he grunted, bracing himself for what was coming.

“Okay.” Lucy shuddered as she got to work trying to thread the needle.

“See now why I can’t live without you?” Tim joked, trying to ease the tension. But it did nothing to ease Lucy, who was still shaking to much to thread the needle.

“Lucy,” Tim murmured as he raised one of his hands and placed it over hers in a last ditch act of comfort.

“Yeah?” She trembled.

“Thank you,” he breathed out. “For saving my life.”

Chapter Text

“Come on come on come on!” Lucy urged in a rush as she frantically

pumped water from the sink into a bucket. As soon as filled it, she took it and raced into Tim’s bedroom. Sitting next him, she dipped a rag into the water before ringing it out. 

Tim was laying on the bed, covered in a sheen of sweat. Lucy recoiled at heat coming off his skin, a stark contrast to his trembling form. Despite her best attempts to help cool him down, his body was loosing the battle against the fever.

“Shhhh, shhhh,” Lucy soothed as she placed the cool rag on his forehead. “You’re alright, I’m here. I’m here.” 

She was no medical professional, but she knew something was very wrong and there was no doubt that it was from his bullet wound. She left the rag on his forehead and  checked his pulse. Her heart dropped when she realized it felt weaker than an hour ago when his heart was racing. She started dabbing his forehead and neck again. 

“It’s gonna be alright Tim, don’t you worry.” she reassured him.

He turned and looked at her with a sick look in his eyes.

“Lucy,” he croaked out.

“Yes, Tim. I’m right here.”

“Everything hurts,” he moaned.

“I know,” Lucy nodded, as she continued to try and cool him down, “But it’s gonna be okay. Alright? You’re gonna be just fine.” 

Deep down, however, she was terrified. 

Tim Bradford, who was as stubborn as they come when it came to admitting being unwell, was now expressing how much pain he was in. It set off alarm bells in her head, showing her just how dire the situation was. 

Lucy figured at this point they were long past at home remedies and the only way he was gonna get better was with antibiotics. Which they had none of. 

The realization of what she was going to have to do hit her like a freight train. The only way to get antibiotics would mean breaking the number one rule they've had and swore to never break. 

Going out alone. 

“Tim,” said Lucy, causing him to turn towards her again. “I’m gonna have to go.”

“What?” He asked weakly. “Lucy, no, you can’t go.”

“I don’t have a choice Tim. You need medicine and without it you’ll die.”

“But if you go out alone, then you will die.” He attempted to sit up to stop her. 

“I’ll be okay,” she tried to reassure him. She cupped the side of his head and ran her thumb across his cheek.

“How come when I went out alone to help you, you lost your shit, but it’s fine if you wanna go alone to help me.” 

Lucy chuckled at the bits of Tim that were still coming through. 

“Because, I wasn’t at death’s door. You on the other hand…” she trailed off, hoping that injecting humor would help.

“No Lucy, please don't go. I can’t do this alone. I need you,” he begged, taking her free hand in both of his.

“But I need you as well, Tim.”

“Please, Lucy,” he pleaded, gripping her hand tighter. “Please don’t go.” 

Lucy let out a sigh. She needed to go, but maybe if she got him to sleep first, then she could sneak out.

“Okay,” Lucy lied. “I’ll stay.” 

She stroked Tim’s head, running her fingers through his hair. “Try and get some sleep, alright?” She spent some time there, humming to him waiting for him to succumb to the sleep he so desperately needed. 

As soon as Lucy knew Tim was out, she quietly and quickly left the cabin. She went out to the shop and pulled out the map. 

“Come on, there has got to be something,” she mumbled to herself. 

It seemed hopeless as her eyes scanned the map, knowing everyplace near them had been picked clean. But she couldn’t give up, she had to do something, cause if she didn’t, she would loose Tim. 

Lucy shook her head and wiped a tear away. She couldn’t afford to think like that. Tim couldn’t afford her to think like that. She refused give up whatever hope she had and kept searching the map for even a sliver of something.

That’s when her eyes caught it. A small town thirty miles away. It was a it further then they have travelled before, but it would be worth it to save Tim. 

It had to have something, right? 

Lucy knew she wouldn’t be able to bear it if her efforts were in vein. 

“Please let them have something,” she whispered a prayer as she started the shop and headed out.

Lucy got to the town about forty minutes later. She parked on the outskirts and began her walk towards it, repeating that prayer the whole way. 

She felt exposed without Tim there to watch her six, but she knew if she wanted to have a future with him watching her six, she would have to get the medicine he so desperately needed. 

Lucy continued to follow the map down the winding road to where the town was supposed to be. As she approached,  she looked up from the map, stopping dead in her tracks. 

The town was surrounded by a massive electric fence.

“You have got to be shitting me,” she cursed to herself as she dropped her arms in a huff. She got closer to see if she could get anyone’s attention, but it looked deserted. 

“Hello? Anyone here? I’m friendly, not a threat. Please, I need help!” She knew the words she was saying would be the exact words someone who was a threat trying to lure people out would say, but she didn’t know what else to do.

When no one came, Lucy let out a frustrated groan and walked along side, seeing if there was anywhere the fence was down for her to get in through. 

She walked through a thick set of foliage, hoping at some point in the middle of the trees or on opposite side, she could find a way in. 

She emerged on the opposite side only to be met with disappointment at seeing there was still fence there. 

“Seriously?” Lucy groaned in frustration. She started walking through leaves that coated the ground as she continued to search for an entrance.

“There has to be a way in,” she grumbled to herself, a bit more loudly and frustrated. “It can’t just-ah!” 

CRASH

Lucy groaned as she reached for her ankle and rubbed it. Luckily, she only slightly tweaked it. She took in her surroundings and noticed she was surrounded by leaves and solid dirt. Lucy stood as she brushed herself off and looked up to see a giant circle above her. 

“Can’t believe I fell for it,” she muttered to herself realizing she quite literally fell for the oldest trick in the book of leaves covering a hole. Taking a steadying breath, she gathered herself and took in her surroundings. Just as she was starting to try and figure out how to get out, she heard footsteps followed by the clicking sound of a gun.

“Holster any and all weapons. When I see you, you better have you’re hands up, otherwise I’m putting one right between the eyes,” she heard someone say sternly from above. 

Lucy looked up, but didn’t see them yet. She was scared shitless and knew she was in no place to argue, so she had no choice but to comply.

“Okay,” Lucy’s voice trembled. But she quickly tried to regain control of herself, not wanting to let the person with a gun know she was scared. 

So she did as she was told and had her hands up by the time the person peaked down into the hole. Lucy saw an older grizzly man standing there staring down at her.

“Are you bit?” He asked her.

“No,” replied Lucy. 

The man backed off and Lucy wondered where he went before a ladder dropped down to her. Lucy climbed out and just as her head peaked through the top, she saw the man, still aiming the gun at her. She took careful steps and finished her climb out and  raised her hands once more as she stood.

“Now,” he started, his voice resembling a low growl. “You’re gonna leave the way you came from and never mention this place to anyone, understood?” 

Lucy did a quick assessment and realized if the man wanted to hurt her, he would’ve shot her by now, so she decided to take her chances and ask for help.

“Please,” Lucy pleaded, her voice cracking. “All I need is medicine. Then I will be out of your hair.”

“There is no pharmacy left.”

That comment made Lucy’s heart drop to her stomach. 

“Come on, there surely has to be something.”

“It got cleared out.”

“Well can I get some medicine from you?” 

“No, because if I give some to you, then you’ll go and blab to all of your friends about it expecting a free hand out. And this isn’t a Walgreens.”

“Walgreens didn’t have free medicine either.”

“Don’t get smart with me,” his voice hardened as he aimed the gun at her more.

“Bill!” Someone called out. 

Lucy looked and saw another man appear and start jogging over.

“Frank, I told you to stay in,” barked the man Lucy now knew was Bill.

“Yeah but, sorry ma’am,” Frank interrupted as he waved a hand at her before continuing. “Dinner is getting cold.”

“Let me handle this first,” Bill replied.

“Oh come on Bill, you’re fine.” Frank placed his hand on the gun and lowered it. “I mean, she probably just needs some help. Now what could make you possibly think she could handle herself against you?”

“Hey!” Lucy snapped. “I was a police officer before all of this.” 

Bill immediately reraised his gun again as Frank did his best to calm him back down and lower the rifle. Once he was satisfied, he turned to Lucy.

“Now, how can we help you?” Frank asked, in a pleasant tone, as if he was the next door neighbor. 

Lucy steadied herself, trying her best to remain calm before she spoke. “My partner and I got ambushed a day or two ago. He was shot and now it’s infected. I can’t be sure, but I think he might be going into septic shock. I just need some antibiotics. Please.” 

Bill’s eyes softened. “Frank,” he said, getting his partner’s attention. “Go get some antibiotics.” 

Frank nodded at Bill before turning and looking at Lucy with a wink before he ran off. 

“Sit,” said Bill and Lucy sat on the ground. He didn’t seem as defensive, but he still had a gun aimed at her. 

“So…You having a nice day?” Lucy asked after a few moments, trying to fill the awkward silence with some semblance of conversation. Billy only responded with a huff. “You know, I understand the caution. My partner is the same way. He would be doing the same thing you’re doing. Keeping the gun trained on the person, just in case.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being protective.”

“Yeah, I know. I was just saying my partner is protective too. Sometimes over protective,” she chuckled, her eyes prickling as tears threatened to fall.

Lucy looked at Bill who was still staring at her. Not so much menacingly now, he still kept a stern look on his face, but now there was the hint of something else, as if he didn’t believe something she had said. 

Lucy raised her brow. “What?”

“This partner of your’s, is he your partner or your partner?” 

“What are you implying?”

“I’m just saying, he must mean a lot to you, if you are willing to risk your life like this for him.”

“It’s not like that,” Lucy insisted as she anxiously ran her hand against her scalp. “We were partners before this. Well, I guess not technically partners. He was my training officer. But we keep each other safe, you know? Like he saved my life before there were zombies wondering around, and he’s kept us safe this far. And I know if he was here right now he would say I saved him too, but he’s the reason we are alive. That doesn’t  make us in love or anything. In fact, we couldn’t stand each other when we first met. He was just a grumpy, hard headed asshole.”

“Yeah, if my partner were out here, he’d make some cocky joke about how that sounds like me.” 

“It must be nice though, surviving with the one you love.” 

“I guess you could say that,” he commented. 

Lucy read his face and could see he was having an internal debate about whether or not to speak further to her, questioning if she was trustworthy. 

“I was in denial like you were about liking my partner,” he finally spoke. “But I soon realized my purpose wasn’t surviving, my purpose was him.”

“But I told you, we aren’t in love.” Lucy tried to argue, but even as she said it, she felt her chest get tight, as if something deep down didn’t believe what she was saying. 

Bill simply shrugged. “Okay, if you say so. But all I’ll say is this. If he is as protective of you as I am of my partner, then God help any mother fuckers who get in his way of you.” 

Lucy stared off at his statement. She never thought of it that way, but his comment about Tim was true. She had watched as Tim went from hating her to being her fiercest protector. She remembered what Jackson and Angela told her how he was ready to burn L.A. down to find her when she went missing. And ever since then, she’s noticed his increased protectiveness towards her.

She knows all of it was initially out of guilt because he blamed himself for her abduction. While she absolved him of his guilt, his protectiveness remained the same.

But it couldn’t have turned into love for her. Could it?

Lucy was about to open her mouth saying it’s not like that when Frank came back with a small sack.

“Sorry it took so long. Hope he didn’t give you too much of a hard time.” Frank handed the sack to Lucy. “Two bottles of antibiotics along with some bread and strawberry preserves, fresh from our garden.”

“Really?” Bill pursed his lips in disbelief.

Frank shrugged. “Hey, the kid looks hungry.”

“Thank you,” Lucy sighed as relief flowed through her body.  

“Okay, you got what you need, now get out. And don’t let us catch you around here again, this was a one time offer. And just an fyi, if you are from a group and try anything, that fence has enough voltage going through it to kill a herd of elephants without short circuiting. And don’t think there’s a way to deactivate it, cause there isn’t. Take that information for what you will,” Bill warned. 

Lucy made eye contact with Frank who rolled his eyes and winked at her with a smile.

“Be safe, and I hope your partner gets better,” Frank interjected.

“Thank you,” Lucy breathed out again. “Thank you both.” 

And with that, she left to go back to the shop. 

–

Lucy pulled into shop’s hiding spot by the cabin and walked the short distance back. The whole drive home and even now, she thought about what Bill had said. Was Tim her person? And more importantly, was she his? His and Bill’s personalities did line up. 

Tim went from seeming like he couldn’t give two shits about her and wanted her gone, to now being fiercely protective of her. Sometimes over protective, but did that mean they had feelings for each other? 

There were moments he definitely caused a little flutter in her chest. And there was that moment a few days ago where she thought they were gonna kiss. But they have also been stuck in a secluded cabin for the better part of several months, so it was probably just cabin fever. 

Plus, she was scared to admit that if she did have feelings for Tim, they would only exist because he’s saved her so many times. None of it would be real.

At least, that’s what Lucy told herself. Plus, there is no way he would ever love her back. Tim was noble and had a code. He would never be with someone who was once his rookie. 

Lucy shook her head and cleared her thoughts as she opened the cabin door. The first thing she heard were moans coming from Tim’s bedroom.

“Lucy,” she heard him cry out. “Where are you Lucy?” 

She immediately ran and sat by his bedside. He was even hotter than before and his pulse was racing.

“Tim, it’s me. I’m here.” She took his hand in hers, grasping tightly.

“I need to find her… He has her… he’s going to kill her… I need to save her,” he moaned, rolling his head around on the pillow, his eyes looking everywhere but at her.

“Tim,” she spoke softly as she moved her hands to cup his face, forcing him to look at her. “I’m right here, I’m safe. You already found me and saved me.”

“Lucy?” He rasped, his voice weak.

“Yes Tim, it’s me.”

“But where were you? Why did you go?”

“I’m sorry, Tim, but I had to get you your medicine. I’m gonna give it to you now and you’ll start to feel better.” She took out the package and read the dosage before popping out the pills and giving them to him with a cup of water.

“There.” Lucy she waited for him to take it. “You’ll start to feel better soon.” 

Lucy went to get up when she felt his hand weakly grasp onto her wrist. She paused for a second, letting her brain process the fact that he took hold of her, before returning her gaze to Tim, who looked so weakened from the illness. 

“Stay, Lucy,” Tim pleaded. “Please. I need you close.” 

She saw the look in his eyes. The desperation and desire for her to be near after what seemed like a nightmarish delusion he had failed at saving her from Caleb. 

“Okay.” Lucy nodded slowly. “I’ll stay.” 

She crawled into bed with him and placed her head on his chest and her hand on his heart. She relaxed as she felt it starting to return to a normal rhythm as his arm wrapped tenderly around her waist.

She was going to say something to him, but when she looked up, she realized he was asleep. Lucy took in a heavy breath as she let her current situation sink in. Her and Tim laying in a bed, curled up against one another. 

It wasn’t like this hadn’t happened before. There where many nights she had nightmares about her abduction and she either wake up and go to his room, or wake up to him already in her bed holding her and soothing her back to sleep. 

Lucy knew now deep down inside, Bill was right. There was something more there. She knew that she could say it was cabin fever or false feelings all she wanted to, but there’s no denying now that she was falling for Tim. 

His gentleness as he held her or spoke to her, his jabs and playful banter whenever they hunted, even his protectiveness of her had all made her fall in love with him. 

But what sacred her was that he wouldn’t and might never feel the same. He was her T.O and she was his rookie. He had a code. He would never date someone who was his subordinate. Apocalypse or not, a part of her will always be his rookie in his eyes. And because of that code, he would never want to have any romantic relationship with her.

Ever.

It was in that moment Lucy decided to savor every moment she could get with him, cause she knew he would not want this with her and some how, some way, she would have to learn to live with that. But for now, she decided to lay on his chest and savor the moment, letting herself fall asleep wrapped up in his arms.

Chapter Text

A week later, Tim grudgingly woke as the sunlight peaked through his room. 

He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and moseyed his way into the living area of the cabin, hoping to find Lucy, only to discover it was empty. 

When he made his way further into the cabin, he noticed that both the bathroom and Lucy’s room were open. Realizing he was alone, he took a peek outside where he saw her throwing knives they had scavenged at a tree. 

She was very skilled. He could see that just in the few moments he took to watch her. Tim smiled, beaming with pride at how far his former rookie has come in this scary and uncertain new world.

He wanted to go out to greet her, but there was something about the way the sunlight was catching her hair and illuminating the features on her cheeks that just made him want to stay for a moment and admire her. 

He had gotten to know her these past few months in such an intimate way that he would never have been able to when he was her T.O. He now knows how much Lucy liked to curl up on the couch by the fire. That she likes her tea warm, not hot. When she’s having a nightmare about her trauma, all it takes is him holding her and running his fingers through her hair for her to fall asleep.

It wasn’t her survival skills, her strength, or her whit that made Tim happy she was his partner in the apocalypse, not that it wasn’t an added bonus, but was the intimate moments. Those little tiny moments, where for a bit, the world fades away and it’s just him and her. It is that Tim is grateful for and why he knows he would not want to survive with anyone else other than Lucy. 

If he caught himself thinking too long about it though, he would catch himself falling for her. But that would never be. He was a decade older than her and he feared the way he treated her at the beginning when they were still rookie and T.O. would be enough to hang over her head to not want a relationship with him.

Maybe in another life they would be lucky enough to meet in a bar or be introduced through friends and he could allow himself to fall in love with her sooner. 

But not in this world. 

For now, they would just have to stick with being friends. No matter how much it pained him. 

Tim realized at that moment he had been staring for too long. He opened the cabin door which made Lucy turn and smile when she realized he was out of bed.

“Hey! He’s alive!” She joked. Tim let out a chuckle and shook his head as he walked towards her. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I’m pretty much back to normal. Tired of being cooped up in my room.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. Glad you’re all better.”

“All thanks to you. I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for you. You saved my life.” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. 

“Thank you,” he said sincerely as his thumb absent mildly rubbed over her hand. 

“You’re welcome.” She nodded and smiled at him.

They started at each other for a moment, Tim trying to savor in some of the intimacy he craved now. But atlas, Lucy ducked her head away and looked back at the tree.

Tim did the same, already missing the feeling of her hand in his. 

“What are you doing?” He asked, as if he didn’t already know.

“Knife throwing,” she replied as she took another knife from her belt and twirled it around in her hands. 

“Where did you learn to knife throw?” Asked Tim. He was surprised he never knew this about her.

“Summer camp. My parents would send me so they wouldn’t…” she trailed off as Tim watched a brief moment of sadness take over her face. 

“So they wouldn’t have to deal with you?” Tim finished her sentence. Lucy nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Anyways, while it was a science camp, they still had summer camp activities. The program director was big on making sure we still got to be kids and had fun. I actually became a camp consular there when I was in high school and college.” 

“Sounds fun,” commented Tim.

“It was. I never thought I would ever have to depend on knife throwing for survival, but ya know, life has a funny way of working out. But enough of this,” she said as she placed her knife back in her belt. “So, since you just said you’re tired of being cooped up, why don’t we go hunting.”

“Sounds great!” Tim exclaimed, feeling excited at the thought of doing something for the first time in days. The two went into the cabin to gather their gear. They went back outside to sharpen and ready their arrows. 

“You know,” Tim started, looking at Lucy as she twisted on an arrow head. “You’re getting pretty good at hunting. Almost as good as me.” Lucy looked up at him and scoffed.

“Almost?” She questioned, her eyebrow raising.“I’d say I am better than you. I’ve gotten dinner the last three times we’ve gone out.”

“Don’t sound so cocky,” he retorted playfully. “But I guess if you do want to prove you’re 

better than me, you wouldn’t turn down a wager, now would you?” 

“Hmmmm, do tell,” she replied.

“We each go out and hunt an animal. Whoever brings in the best kill wins.”

“Okay okay. Let me guess, there is a point system for the animals?”

“Mmmhmm. Smaller animals like raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and any bird smaller than a duck are all worth five points. Any medium sized animals like turkeys, geese, and hogs, fifteen points. Big animals like deer or big horned goats, fifty points.” He glanced at Lucy who appeared to be thinking about it.

“An extra five, no TEN points if a bird gets shot out of the sky,” she suggested, extending her hand.

“Oh you’re on,” Tim agreed as he shook it. 

And with that, Tim and Lucy left, gear in hand, each one determined to win their bet. 

They walked for a few miles when Lucy heard some squawking in the distance. She held her fist up and singled for Tim to stop. Slowly, she approached the noise, hunched over. They crawled through some tall grass and stayed low, knowing there was a pond ahead with either ducks or geese. Lucy picked up a rock and threw it in the direction of the pond. Soon, a whole flock of geese took off and started flying to the right of them. Lucy took out her crossbow, tracked one –

PLANG

The was goose struck right in the head and they watched as it immediately fell and hit the ground.

“Yes,” exclaimed Lucy as she went over and picked up the animal. Once she grabbed it, she took out the arrow, and tied it to her belt by its neck.

“You know, you could’ve gotten closer to the pond and shot it from there,” Tim quipped.

“Yeah, but then I wouldn’t have twenty five points,” she mocked as she approached him. 

Tim smiled bitingly at her and rolled his eyes. “Okay, fair enough. But just so you know, all you did was set the stage for me. Now you know, I’m gonna go for a fifty pointer.”

“We’ll see about that,” Lucy hummed, a coy smile on her face.“There’s a reason they’re fifty points.”

They hiked for a few more miles along the edge of a steep incline, Tim’s eyes peeled for a victory.  They kept quiet, attentive to their surroundings in the hopes of finding their next target. 

Not long after, Tim heard twigs snapping. He raised his fist, signaling for Lucy to stop and get down. She did so as he looked out over the area below. To his enjoyment, he saw a doe walk out from behind some trees.

“Perfect,” he whispered to himself. He heard Lucy mumble a damn it under her breath. Then, just as he raised his bow at his winning game, he saw the doe turn and look behind her. A baby deer stumbled into view and walked right up to their mama. 

Tim paused and lowered his weapon slightly as he observed the mama and her baby. He watched as she licked the top of its head before the two walked off and joined what he saw was a herd further into the trees. He lowered his weapon completely before sighing and standing, along with Lucy. 

“Awwww,” Lucy cooed. “That mama and baby were so sweet.” 

“Yeah. I guess that makes you the winner,” Tim conceded.

“Really?” asked Lucy in a tone of surprise. “You aren’t gonna try again?”

“Nah,” said Tim. “You won fair and square.” 

Lucy smiled at him, which made his heart skip ten beats. 

As they walked back to the cabin, Tim kept noticing Lucy glancing at him out of the corner of his eyes. She wore a cheeky grin on her face, but also a hint of curiosity.

“Spill it, Chen,” he gruffed.

‘Well, It’s just that I’m kinda shocked you didn’t shoot the deer. I mean, not that I wanted you to after I saw the baby, but still it took me by surprise,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

“We need the baby to grow up. The only way that will happen is if mom is around.”

“Really, that’s what you’re going with?” She asked, unconvinced by his explanation. 

“What do you think the reason is then?”

“I think you’ve gone soft,” she mused, her lips keeping the smug grin.

“I have not gone soft!” he retorted.

“You have!” She laughed. “The hardass TO I once knew is long gone!”

“No, look,” he exasperated. “You shouldn’t kill the baby animals or the females raising them. Because if you want to keep hunting, you wanna make sure that there are as many animals entering the eco system as you are taking out. Otherwise you’ll run out in that area. So leaving mothers and their babies alone ensures that a steady population remains. Hunters even before the apocalypse knew not to hunt mothers and their babies. Well, the good ones who followed the rules at least.”

“Okay, it sounds like you have your story, and I’ll just have to go with it.” Lucy bumped Tim’s chest with her shoulder, giving him a sly smile as she passed him. Tim rolled his eyes and shook his head as he joined her. 

They walked for a few more miles before Lucy spoke again.

“You know, sometimes it’s hard to believe how long we’ve been out here and living like this. It’s honestly become the new norm for me. I remember when I used to hike through areas similar to this, not having to live in it for survival.”

“I know what you mean,” Tim hummed.

“Sometimes I wish I could appreciate the beauty of nature again,” she murmured, her eyes growing melancholy.  Tim stuck out his arm to stop her, causing her to look up at him. “What?” 

“We have a few more hours of daylight left, don’t we?” 

She nodded at him, causing him to smile. 

“Come on, follow me.” He turned them towards the right and took her a few miles further away from the cabin.

“Where are we going?” Lucy asked as she watched Tim slide down a small ledge and onto the ground. 

“You’ll see.” He turned and offered Lucy his hand as he helped her down. They walked a bit further, before Tim stopped and pushed some branches out of the way.

“Go take a look,” he instructed, motioning for her to step forward. Lucy slipped under his arm and realized she had stepped out on a flat rock that was actually a cliff that looked out over a massive valley.

“Wow,” she whispered, amazed at the view before her as she walked further out. The trees were all full of lush beautiful leaves and the sunlight caused the river to shimmer as it reflected its glow. 

Lucy was overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. “Where did you find this place?” 

“Grandfather,” replied Tim. “Took me out here a lot after hunting.” 

“You know, you never told me his name, what was it?” She asked as she and Tim sat on the edge.

“Samuel,” he responded. “Grandpa Samuel.” 

“That’s a nice name.”

They continued to look out over the ledge and enjoyed a few moments to themselves where they weren’t fighting for their lives in the apocalypse. Right now, at this moment, they were just two people enjoying a hike. 

“Did you ever take Isabel up here?”

Tim shook his head. “No. She knew about the cabin, but the outdoors weren’t really her thing.”

Lucy nodded in understanding, before sitting in silence just a little bit longer.

“Do you ever think about the before? About what life was like? What you miss that you took for granted?” 

“Yeah.” Tim nodded. “I miss our friends, the station, my sister and her kids. And I miss the little things like a hot cup of coffee, warm showers, and the Dodgers games in the afternoon.” 

“I miss everyone at the station too. Especially Nyla, Angela, Nolan, Sergeant Grey, … Jackson.” She said his name quietly. “And believe it or not, I miss the things that hurt me, like my parents or the assholes we ran into on a daily basis. I also miss Rachel and the old lady across the hall who I always had tea with on Sundays. I miss being able to enjoy nature. I always thought I would like to live on my own and be fully in nature, but I guess not. I miss having meals, like actual meals like burgers with fries and a milkshake to go with it.” 

“Yeah,” Tim sighed in agreement. “But do you know what I miss most of all?” 

Lucy shook her head.

He reached his hand out and tucked some hair that had fallen out of her bun behind her ear. “I miss seeing the things that I will never get to see. Like you, becoming a P2.” His thumb brushed lightly against her cheek, causing her to blush.

“Yeah?” Lucy glanced down before looking back up at him. “I would’ve been one by now, right?”

”Yes, you would have.”

”And you think I would’ve made it?” 

“I think you would’ve passed with flying colors,” Tim responded without hesitation. . 

Lucy smiled sadly at him, mirroring the one on his own face before the two of them returned their gazes to the landscape in front of them.

It only took a few more moments for Lucy to lay her head on his shoulder. When she did, Tim felt her shiver. He gently nudged her off and she looked at him worried for a second. Before she could be scared she crossed a line, he shrugged off his leather jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Lucy gave him a small smile as she started to lean back in and he guided her head back onto his shoulder, his arm wrapping around her as he felt her nuzzle her head against him.

The sun started to set, as the two tried to savor the moment a little bit longer where they were just two people enjoying nature before having to return to the reality of a zombie infected world.

“It sure is beautiful,” Lucy sighed.

“Yeah,” Tim agreed. “Beautiful.”

However, unlike Lucy, Tim’s eyes weren’t looking at the valley.

Chapter Text

(three months later)

“Okay, you take the left, I’ll take the right,” Tim told Lucy.

She nodded as they parted ways, each cautiously roaming around the abandoned and decrepit store. Lucy’s mind was on high alert as she rounded each aisle, knowing it was impossible to be too careful in this day and age.

Winter was almost upon them and food was starting to grow scarce. It was getting harder and harder to find canned food in addition to the fact that hunting was also starting to become a challenge with animals burrowing in and starting hibernation.

Lucy scanned all the shelves she passed, but all that was on them was dust and cob webs.

“Come on, there’s gotta be something,” she mumbled to herself. At this point she would even settle for some vienna sausage. 

Just as she was losing hope at finding food, she turned the corner and found three cans of ravioli that were somehow left behind.

“Better than nothing,” she sighed, as she began to grab the cans, realizing this was more than likely it.

Tim found her as she was placing the last can in her backpack, looking as hopeless as she was. 

“Find anything?” He asked. 

“Just three cans of ravioli, you?”

“Just two cans of chili beans,” he sighed as Lucy let out one as well. “Come on, this place is picked clean, let’s go.”

On the way back they found some bodies. Tim and Lucy pulled over, stabbed them in the heads so they wouldn’t reanimate, and searched them for food. Lucy found some energy bars and other canned items, while Tim took any weapons and ammo he had found, but that was all the former survivors had on them. 

When they got back to the cabin, they put everything away before taking to the woods to hunt. They walked for miles upon miles, looking for something, anything, that could make a meal. When it seemed like the hunt would be a loss, Tim spotted a red squirrel  amongst the fall leaves and aimed at it with his crossbow. He shot it and then they walked back to the cabin, not wanting to test their luck. 

As Tim skinned and dressed the squirrel, Lucy took inventory. With her calculations, she realized they had enough food to last them about two weeks, which wouldn’t be enough with winter right around the corner. 

She knew theoretically they’ll always have hunting and even fishing, but that will become harder once the mountains get snow. But meat is not what she’s worried about. It’s the fruits and vegetables she’s worried about. 

They’ve been eating canned stuff since the start, which was fine, but that was starting to run out. They needed a solution, and now. 

Lucy tapped her pen against her note pad, pondering at what they could do. That’s when an idea hit her. She remembered when she was in girl scouts making hoop houses for gardening beds. 

They were taught that in harsher climates where fresh produce was harder to access, people would grow fruits and vegetables in these hoop houses. That way they could have access to healthy food year round.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Tim came in with the dead squirrel and placed it on the skewer. He started the fire and began the roasting process. 

Excited to tell him her idea, Lucy opened her mouth to speak, but paused when she took a good look at him. Tim’s demeanor screamed frustration, meaning that he  was definitely in one of his moods and seemed ultra-focused on cooking. Deciding not to disturb him, she kept the epiphany to herself and resolved to wait until after dinner to tell him. 

_

Tim silently ate his dinner as he stared off into space. He was trying to figure out how to make sure they survive the winter, but he couldn’t think of anything. At this rate, they were looking at starvation, and there was no way Tim was going to let Lucy go hungry.

He made a promise to take care of her, and he wasn’t about to break that. 

Frustrated and still trying to figure something out, he took their empty plates to the sink and began washing them, needing to do something he actually could do.

“You were quiet tonight,” Lucy pointed out as she approached him. Tim looked at her a little surprised before resuming his work.

“Yeah, because I have no idea how we are gonna survive the winter with this impending 

food shortage.”

“Maybe you don’t, but I do,” Lucy remarked as she playfully clasped her hands behind her back.

“What?” Tim asked, almost shocked.

“Hoop houses,” she confidently stated. 

“Hoop what?”

“Hoop houses,” she replied. “We made them when I was in girl scouts. They are something that people in harsher climates use to grow food during the winter.”

Tim looked at her for a bit before turning back to the sink. “We can’t.”

Lucy’s face fell.

“What? Why not?”

“Because, we need to remain discreet, and we’re barely doing that as it is,” argued Tim.

“But we need to survive too. Look, we have had our run-ins with people a handful of times, but no one near the cabin,” Lucy retorted.

“Yeah, but how long until they actually reach us.”

“We can fight them off just like we have done.”

Tim just shook his head. “It’s not happening, and that’s final.”

Lucy scoffed, “Oh so what? You say so and that’s it!?” 

“In this case, yes,” Tim huffed.

“I thought we put all this TO and boot crap behind us a long time ago?” Lucy asked, as she crossed her arms, annoyed.

“We have.”

“Then why are you being so stubborn?”

“Because I am trying to protect you, Lucy!” He snapped at her.

“I don’t need your protection, Tim!” She replied, her voice sharp with defiance.

“Okay, well then I’m trying to protect us from something that could get us killed!!”

“And I’m trying to keep us from dying of scurvy or starvation!”

“That’s not gonna happen!”

“Yes, it will if you don’t let me build the hoop houses!”

“If you build those houses you might as well put up a giant neon sign saying ‘We are here, come get us!’”

“Oh my God!!” Lucy groaned as she ran her hands through her hair and walked away for a second before turning back towards him and slammed her pointer finger into his chest.

“You know what, Tim Bradford, some times you piss me off so much I could just-”

“You could just what, Lucy?!” 

She stared at him with fire in her eyes for just a second before taking him by surprise, grabbing his face, and pulling him into a searing kiss. Tim was taken aback at first but then just as he reached up to cup her cheek, she abruptly pulled away.

“I’m... I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” she apologized as she backed away. 

“No, it’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. Tim, you don’t have to say that. I know it wasn’t fine and don’t-” But before she could finish her sentence, Tim pulled her into another heated kiss. They kissed for a long moment, her arms wrapping around his neck as one of his hands made its way into her hair, giving it a light squeeze. It was only moments later when Tim pulled away, but still cupped both sides of her face.

“Trust me when I say, it is more than fine, Luce,” he whispered as he rubbed his thumbs against her cheek.

Lucy looked at him for a moment, a million thoughts running through her head. 

“You’re impossible,” she gasped, and then she yanked him back in for what was the most heated makeout session either one had ever had. Lucy felt Tim back her against the freezer before grabbing her by the thighs and lifting her on top.

“You’re insufferable,” he growled before bringing his lips to her neck and started sucking at her where her tattoo was. He heard Lucy moan as she held his head there, running her fingers against his scalp. Tim finished up by nipping at her, hoping to leave a mark where he had been. He pulled back and Lucy pulled him back in immediately and they started another kiss of passion, with tongues battling for dominance. 

He felt Lucy tugging at the collar of his flannel before guiding her hands to one of his buttons, assuring her it was okay. He let her get the first two before pulling back and making a show of unbuttoning the rest, letting his shirt slide off while resting his forehead against hers. 

When the shirt fully slid off, he heard her suck in a breath as she lightly ran a hand down his chest, finally being able to admire his physique after such a long time. 

That’s when she responded by unbuckling her belt and guiding his hands to help her pull her jeans off all the way. 

After her pants fell to the floor, he pulled away, but only a little bit, as her eyes locked with his. 

“Take me to bed, Tim,” she murmured as he felt her hands lock around his neck.

“But I thought you said…”

“I know, but it would be a shame to not put those strong muscles to good use, now wouldn’t it?”

He felt her legs tighten behind his back and that was all the permission he needed before sliding his hands under her rear and behind her back, lifting her against him. 

She smiled before she started kissing him again. He carried her back to his bedroom when he felt her move her lips to his neck and start doing to him what he did to her earlier. He was so turned on it caused him to stumble and place her on the ground before he could drop her. 

“Sorry,” she muttered. “Didn’t expect to get you weak in the knees.” 

He locked eyes with her.

“Oh, you’re in trouble now.” 

He kept an arm secured on her back while he slipped the other under her knees and scooped her up into his arms. Lucy let out another surprised gasp as she gazed lustfully at him. 

“Save it for the bedroom, if you can,” he huskily stated as he resumed carrying her. 

Lucy was happy he was carrying her as she was starting to feel weak in the knees herself. Her body trembled at the feeling of being up in his arms as she  melted against him.

Lucy nuzzled her head against his shoulder and ran a hand over his pecks, which made it harder for Tim to focus on getting her to his room. When he finally got her to his bedroom, he laid her down gracefully on the bed, his gentlemanly behavior a stark contrast to the charged energy between them. He stepped back as he undid his cargo pants, letting them fall to the floor before climbing on top of her.

A realization dawned on both as Tim pinned Lucy to the bed.

That they were about to cross a line that they could never come back from. Tim scanned her face for any doubt or hesitation for what they were about to do, but all he was met with was a heated gaze. 

“Are you sure you want this?” He asked one last time.

“Yes,” she gasped. “I’ve wanted it for a long time.”

“Me too.” 

But before Tim could resume kissing her, Lucy rolled over on top of him. She guided his hands to the hem of her shirt and let him pull it up before she fully ripped it off. 

Tim’s hands rubbed up and down the sides of her torso, savoring at the feeling of her soft skin under his finger tips. He heard her moan and watched as her eyes closed with the firmer his hands got. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he realized his thumb ran right over her DOD tattoo.

He paused for a second as they locked eyes, hers having a fearful look as no one had touched her there since that day. But then Tim ran his thumb across it, showing her that even though it was placed there by a man who wanted to hurt her, it is now being touched by a man who would do anything to protect her. 

Having received the message, Lucy grabbed him and pulled him up roughly by the shoulders and gave him a searing kiss. Tim followed by tenderly, yet firmly cupping her face. 

Based on how much she relaxed into his hands, Tim realized very quickly how much Lucy loved him holding her head and playing with her hair. 

Lucy playfully pushed him down again, before she reached behind herself and made a show of un-clipping her bra, letting it slowly fall off her before throwing it to the side. 

Lucy grabbed his hands and pulled them towards her breast, letting his thumbs slowly caress them.

“Beautiful,” he murmured. “So beautiful.”

Lucy blushed at his words, feeling exposed in a way she never had before. She hardly had any time to dwell on those thoughts, however, because then she was overtaken by Tim, letting out a gasp as he flipped her over on her back. 

They resumed kissing and started undressing what little was left for a night neither one would forget.

_

The next morning Lucy awoke to the light peaking in. But she realized her head was laying on something soft, but firm and it was slightly rising and falling. As her vision came into focus, she realized she was sleeping on Tim. That’s when all the memories from the night before came flooding back.

The fight.

The kiss.

Him carrying her to his bed.

Them undressing each other before finally giving in to one another.

Before she could fully sit up, Tim awoke and looked down at her. 

“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered, as he leaned in and kissed her. When he realized she wasn’t kissing him back, he pulled away.

“Lucy?” He questioned, running his fingers through her hair. “What’s wrong?”

Lucy sat up, and he did with her, placing his hand on her back as he started to rub it.

“We did it last night,” she stated, almost matter of factly.

“We did,” he paused, indicating for her to continue.

“And it was good, right?” She asked, looking at him, scared he might say something that’s different from what her heart says.

“Honestly, the best I’ve had in a long time.” 

His words made her crack a smile, but she was still unsure, millions of doubts flowed through her head about how real this could be. 

“But was it more than that, or just sex?” She questioned, looking at him a little scared of what he might say. Tim stopped rubbing her back.

“What do you want it to be?” He asked sincerely.

Lucy was now truly terrified.

“I don’t know. But what I do know is that cabin fever is a real thing, and honestly it’s basic biology that it was only a matter of time before we did it. We’re two humans living alone in seclusion. And I know that someone can develop false feelings for a person who has saved them. And sometimes it feels like I have fallen for you, but I’m scared it’s not real and it’s only because you’ve saved my life. But deep down, I want it to be real and I’m scared that--” but before she could finish her sentence, Tim cupped her cheek and pulled her into a soft, gentle kiss. They kissed for a moment or two before Tim pulled away. 

“I don’t know about you, but it feels real to me. There’s just no way something would feel this right if it was just biology messing with our emotions. And if there is any feelings developing because of lives saved, then I have it bad for you too, Lucy Chen, because as records show, you were the most recent in saving my life.” 

That got a smile and a chuckle out of Lucy.

“Come here,” he whispered. He laid back down and guided her to lay on his chest again. He rested his hand on her wrist that fell across his body and used his other hand to cup the back of her head, running his fingers soothingly against her scalp. 

“Listen,” he murmured, causing her to look up at him. “We are in a world where every time we step out that door, our lives could end. I mean, sure, when we were cops, nothing was guaranteed either, and you could argue the same logic, but now more than ever life has the ability to be cut short. So we gotta take whatever we are given. So whether we think it’s real or not, let’s make the most of it and let ourselves enjoy this new phase in our relationship. Show each other the human side of being with someone, before we can’t anymore.” 

Lucy looked at him in awe. Tim was a man of honesty and would never lie to her, so if he was saying all of this to her, he truly meant it. She knew it now for sure, it wasn’t biology. She was in love with him.

“Okay,” she smiled at him before leaning up to kiss him and resting back against his chest keeping her gaze upon him, her smile only growing as her face flushed. 

“What?” He asked with a slight chuckle.

“Nothing,” she replied. “It’s just that I never expected my tough and hardass TO to have a soft side, or that I would be on the receiving end of it.”

“Well, I wanna show you I’m not that guy anymore. And that I will treat you above and beyond what you deserve and give you everything I have left to give with whatever time I have left,” Tim promised her. 

Lucy’s heart was soaring. There was something so endearing about seeing Tim go from such a hardass to someone being so soft and gentle with her.

“Does that mean giving me my hoop houses?” She teased hopefully. Tim rolled his eyes and looked back at her big puppy dog eyes. 

“Yes, I guess you can,” he conceded.

She smiled and immediately kissed him, thanking him before resettling.

“But I don’t want to get the material just yet, I want to lay here and savor this moment with you,” Lucy sighed as she snuggled deeper against him.

“That’s fine with me,” he whispered as he kissed her on the forehead. She smiled against his chest and fell back asleep as he continued to run his fingers through her hair.

Lucy and Tim did not in fact leave the bed that day. They went to a hardware store the following day to get everything they needed for the hoop houses. Two by fours for the garden bed, mulch, fertilizer, gardening tools, a clear tarp, and some hoops.

Lucy worked extremely hard on the houses to get them up and running before winter. Tim helped of course. And whenever he hit his thumb with a harmer trying to nail the wood together, Lucy was there to kiss it and make it better. And of course he never faked it.

Before they knew it, they had three small hoop houses built. They had gotten seeds for a variety of fruits and vegetables to grow. Their new food source included strawberries, black berries, raspberries, blue berries, watermelons, spinach, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, squash, and beans. 

Any seeds they got their hands on, they grew it. The first time they each bit into some blackberries they grew, they both nearly started crying at how fresh they tasted. Plus the hoop houses were holding out well against the dropping temperatures. Tim was sorry he ever doubted Lucy, but she was honestly just happy to not have to worry about starvation or scurvy. 

Though they were pretty much self-sustaining, it didn’t mean they didn’t have to go on supply runs every once in a while. Sure enough, about two months after they had planted the hoop houses, they found themselves needing one to find jars so they could can all the food they were growing.

“Okay,” said Tim, walking into an old store. “I’ll go look for canning supplies, you go look for some medicine to help with your nausea.” 

“Okay,” replied Lucy and she ventured to the pharmacy area. She had been having nausea for awhile now, but couldn’t figure out why. As she was walking through the isles, a box of pads caught her eye. That’s when it hit her. She hadn’t needed pads in awhile. Her periods had become lighter during the apocalypse, and sometimes she skipped a month, but she was pretty sure it had been longer than that. Then she remembered what happened not too long ago. 

“No,” she whispered to herself. “It can’t be.” 

She saw a pregnancy test down the aisle and was hit with the sudden need to be sure. She grabbed it and raced into a bathroom. Lucy quickly took it out and took the test, hands shaking the entire time. 

After she was finished, she placed it faced down on the sink as she sat on the closed toilet. She counted down the seconds to herself, nervously tapping her leg the whole time. 

Two lines meant positive, one meant negative. 

“ Come on one line, one line,” she mumbled. When she finished counting down, she slowly got up and grabbed the test, hesitantly flipping it towards her. She closed her eyes before she could see the results, sending one last prayer out into the universe. 

She took a breath of courage, then opened them. 

“Shit.”

Chapter Text

Lucy sat on her jacket at the edge of a hole on a frozen lake.
Tim was across from her, holding a fishing pole with a line going into the hole. A big snow storm had swept through the mountains, freezing over a lake not far from the cabin. Because all the animals were hiding away, they had gone out on the lake to ice fish. Lucy was hesitant, but Tim reassured her it was safe.

“And that’s how I almost lost my finger to a fish,” Tim laughed as he finished up his story.

“Mmm…” Lucy nodded, not really paying attention.

“And then I had to fight off space aliens from Independence Day at age nine.”

“Wait, what?” Lucy stuttered, caught off guard. Tim just shook his head and let out a chuckle.

“Caught you not paying attention,” he joked.

“Oh, sorry,” she said, looking away.

“You know lately, you’ve seemed distant. Like your mind is always somewhere else.”

“No, I’m fine. I guess this weather and not being in modern civilization is affecting me.”

That was a lie, and she knew Tim could see right through her, but she was scared. She hadn’t told Tim about the pregnancy and she had known for almost a week now.

One night, after Tim had gone to bed, she stayed up, trying to think if there was a way to terminate the pregnancy. She had always wanted to be a mother, but she didn’t want to bring kids into a world like this. Not to mention all the complications like preeclampsia or an ectopic pregnancy that would be lethal to her in a world where hospitals no longer existed.

But then it dawned on her how it would be even more dangerous to try and terminate by herself, potentially causing herself to hemorrhage, bleed out, and die.

Lucy’s fears had consumed her as the risks of going through a pregnancy and raising a baby during the apocalypse was going to be her reality.

She had been so consumed by her fears, she had no idea how to even tell Tim she was pregnant in the first place. He had been catching on that something was wrong and she knew was going to have to tell him eventually. She guessed it was now or never.

“Look, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Okay.” Tim gently took her hand and rubbed his thumb over it. “What is it?”

“Well-”

Right before she could tell him, she was interrupted by the tugging of the fishing line.

“Hold that thought,” said Tim as he started to reel in the line. It took a few moments but soon a fish about a foot long was pulled out onto the ice. Tim unhooked it and placed it in the bucket with the other three they caught.

“Let me go take these by our stuff and get some more bait. Once I get back, we can talk, okay?”

Lucy nodded as Tim walked over to her, gave her a kiss on the forehead, then walked off the ice. She decided this was a good moment to stretch her legs and try to calm her nerves. Lucy placed her shaking hands on her still flat belly, knowing once she shared this information, there was no going back.

_

Tim walked the bucket of fish over to where their bags were on the edge of the lake. They put their stuff there so as to not add too much weight on the ice. Tim placed the bucket down and was wondering what Lucy had to tell him as he focused on re-baiting the line. He had noticed she had been closed off this past week and it was worrying him as to why.

His thoughts were interrupted when a noise that sounded like a crack followed by a woosh interrupted him. He paused, hoping that wasn’t what he thought it was.

“T-Tim,” he heard Lucy say shakily behind him. He turned and saw her arms and legs slightly spread as she was trying to balance herself. Tim saw the look of terror in her eyes as he looked down confirming what he had feared. The ice had cracked beneath her. Their eyes locked again as he looked back up.

“Ti-” but before she could finish her thought, Tim watched in horror as the ice gave way and she fell straight through.

“LUUUCCCYYYY!!!!” Tim screamed as he ran toward the hole. He slid across the ice, almost slipping a few times, but he didn’t care. He dropped next to the hole and stuck his arm in, searching for any sign of her.

After a few moments—that felt more like hours—he found her wrist and grabbed her tightly and pulled. As soon as Lucy broke through the surface of the water, she gasped for air. He slid both arms under her arm pits and pulled her out, setting her down on the ice.

Tim tucked her into his chest, cradling her against his body. Her skin had already turned a deathly shade of pale, frightening him and prompting him to pull her even closer to him.

“Lucy?” He questioned frantically. “Are you okay?”

He heard her mumble something against his chest, but couldn’t make it out. Fearing hypothermia was setting in, Tim slipped an arm under her knees and stood, lifting her against him as he made his way off the ice, careful not to disrupt it any further.

As soon as he hit land, he took off running. “It’s gonna be okay, alright Lucy? But I need you to stay awake. Can you do that for me baby?” Her head was tucked against his chest and her eyes were half open as she looked up at him, lips turning blue. He could hear her mumbling something, but couldn’t quite make it out.

“What is it? What did you try to say?”

“I…I’-m. Pre-e-egn-an-n-nt.”

At that remark, Tim’s heart skipped a beat.

Pregnant.

Lucy was pregnant.

He had gotten her pregnant. And during the apocalypse of all times.

And now, not only was Lucy’s life literally in his arms, but the life of his unborn child’s as well. That thought made him run faster. But he couldn’t think too much about it. He had to focus on getting Lucy back to the cabin.

“Don’t worry Lucy, everything is going to be fine.”

“O-o-our s-s–ssstuuffff,” she reminded him as she shivered.

“Never mind our stuff, I’ll go back and get it later.”

“C-c-old.”

Tim held her more tightly against him, trying desperately to keep her warm.

“It’s okay, I got you. Just focus on staying awake. I’ll get you back to the cabin, we’re almost there, okay? Just hold on a little longer. It’s gonna be okay, baby.”

He felt her press more into his chest, her arms tightening around him. He looked down and saw her eyes fluttering.

“Hey! Don’t you quit on me boot, you hear!? And yes I called you a boot. If you continue to not listen, I’ll continue to call you that. Do you hear me boot!?”

He saw a weak smile appear on her face.

After what felt like an eternity, the cabin came into view.

“Look baby, it’s the cabin, we made it, see?”

Lucy barely made a small noise acknowledging him, causing Tim to hurry the last few steps to the cabin.

Once inside, he kicked the door closed and laid her down in front of the fireplace. He got to work stripping all of her clothes off down to just her underpants. Tim grabbed the blanket from the couch and wrapped it around her until she was completely swaddled up. He hurriedly lit a fire and threw whatever kindling and wood they had into the flame to get it roaring as fast as possible. Satisfied with the fire going, Tim grabbed a pillow from the couch, placing it under her head.

“I’m going to go get our stuff, okay?”

She could only nod as Tim tucked her icy hair behind her ear and kissed her on the forehead.

He left the cabin and raced back down to the lake. His thoughts were jumbled, bouncing around his mind at the same pace as his feet.

Lucy went through the ice.

Lucy was pregnant.

God, what was he thinking? How could he had bee do reckless?

Tim never thought in a million years he would ever get someone who was his boot— whether it be current or former—pregnant, but here he was. Falling for Lucy was not in his plans, but he took comfort in the connection they shared. Between both the apocalypse and their mutual feelings, the boundary between a rookie and her training officer, a boundary he once fiercely lived by, was no longer there.

But aside from all of that, this was reckless. He was the guy that used to make fun of those people in zombie shows who got pregnant, calling them stupid. Now here he was, Mr. Hypocrite, with his girlfriend who he got pregnant during the apocalypse.

Once Tim got to the lake he let out a sigh of relief seeing all of their stuff was still there. He collected everything and made his way back to Lucy, his mind still going a million miles a minute.

He got into the cabin and saw Lucy right where he left her, but despite the blanket wrapped tightly around her and being laid next to the fire, she was still shivering. When he was in the military, they were taught that in dire survival situations, in order to stay warm or reheat someone, the best way to do it was skin to skin contact.

So Tim went into their room and took the mattress off the bed frame. He dragged it into the living room and laid it in between Lucy and the couch. He grabbed another pillow and blanket before stripping all the clothes off his body, down to his boxers. He lifted Lucy onto the mattress, rubbing circles on her arm when he heard the slight whine she made at the movement.

“Shh, it’s gonna be okay,” he whispered as he laid her down. He crawled onto the side closest to the couch and turned her towards him. Tim tucked her against his chest with her back facing the fire. His hand cradled her head against him, as his other arm wrapped around her back. He pulled both blankets over them as the fire continued to burn.

“I’ve got you, don’t worry.” He kissed her lightly on her forehead.

After a short while, her shivering subsided as she snuggled further against him. Tim breathed out a sigh of relief, his body and mind settling down from the adrenaline rush, knowing Lucy would be okay.

_

About an hour or two later, Lucy sat on the couch. Still naked, but still wrapped in a blanket facing the fire. Tim approached her with a hot cup of tea. He was wearing clothes again, as he had given Lucy his other blanket as well.

“Thank you,” she murmured, as he handed it to her.

“You’re welcome.” He sat down next to her as they both stared ahead.

“So,” said Tim, tapping his fingers against his knees. “You’re pregnant.”

“Yup,” Lucy affirmed, as she sipped her tea.

“I mean…” he rubbed his face as he tried to process what to say next. “How… how did this happen?”

“Well Tim, when a man and a woman-”

“I know how it happens,” he mocked back as he interrupted her. “I just mean why? Why did it happen? How could we be so reckless!? We’re in the freaking apocalypse! We’re the trope people make fun of!”

“Honestly, from a psychology stand point, it makes sense. We’re two heterosexual adults, trapped in seclusion for nearly a year. It was bound to happen sooner or later.”

Tim wanted to say something, but all he could do was stare ahead. Lucy looked at him, and she could see his mind was racing. “What is it?” she asked.

“Please, don’t get mad at me for asking this. Understand I am asking in the most respectful way possible and I’m not trying to be a douche bag here.”

“Okay?” Lucy questioned, her brow rising in hesitation.

“Is there a way to… you know… terminate?”

Lucy took breath, “I’ll be honest, the moment I found out, I tried to figure out how. But there isn’t a way to. Abortion pills would be in the city, and we’re not going there. And any tools I use could cause me to hemorrhage and die. There’s no way for me to terminate without the risk of killing me. Whether we like it or not, this baby is coming.”

Tim sighed, attempting to steady his breathing and he paused.

“Wait, how long have you known?”

“About a week.”

“And you’re just now telling me!?”

“Well I was scared, Tim. Terrified, even! I mean, I am pregnant in the apocalypse! What if something goes wrong? What if this is an ectopic pregnancy, or the baby gets sick and dies inside of me and I would need medical intervention that we can no longer get? How am I supposed to track this pregnancy without a doctor and an ultrasound or make sure everything is okay? What if I do everything I can to protect them while they’re inside of me, and I have a still birth? What if the zombie’s get them, what if they get me!? What am I going to do when I am in labor and can’t get an epidural or I’m craving something that’s not available anymore? What if-”

“Hey, hey, hey. It’s okay,” Tim interrupted in a soothing tone. He took the tea from Lucy and then cradled her against his chest. He started rocking her, brushing his fingers along her temple. “Look, it’s clear we are both scared, okay? And nothing has gone the way either of us have wanted to for a very long time now. While a lot might be out of our control, know this; I will do whatever it takes to protect you and our baby and make sure nothing happens to either of you two. I will keep you both safe, no matter what.”

“Tim,” Lucy breathed out, her eyes watering. “You can’t promise that.”

“Yes I can, and I did. And I did so, because I love you.”

Lucy’s breath hitched at the revelation.

“That’s right Lucy Chen, I love you. And no, it’s not cabin fever or false feelings. It’s real. I feel it when I hear you humming in the shower. Or when I wake up and see your head laying on my chest when the morning sun peaks in. I feel it when you make a successful hunt or beat me in sparring. If the apocalypse has shown me anything, it’s how much you mean to me and that once I stopped seeing you as a rookie, all I saw was a beautiful, smart, kick ass woman who won over my heart.”

“Tim,” Lucy whispered his name the way you would a prayer. She took his hand in her own, placing it over her heart. “I love you too. I was scared to admit it before, thinking it was just false feelings from being stuck in a cabin together. But the more I tried to push them down, the stronger they came back. And whenever you wrap your arms around me as a source of comfort or protection, it warms my heart in a way words can’t describe. Like as if it’s just you and me in the world and nothing else matters.”

“You are my world, Lucy Chen.” He placed his hand on her still flat belly and she placed hers over his.

“And this child will be our world,” he whispered as they leaned their foreheads together and looked down at her belly. “A child created out of our love for each other."

They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment before closing the gap. They had kissed before, but this one was different. There was no more hiding, no more bottling down feelings, no more fear. It was pure. It was soft. It was everything that their love for each other had nurtured during their time together.

After they pulled back, Lucy tucked her head into the crook of Tim’s neck. She played with the fingers of the hand that rested on her belly as Tim continued to rock her, whispering words of safety, encouragement, and love. It wasn’t long before she fell asleep in his arms. He knew he would carry her to bed soon, but he wanted this moment with her by the fire for just a little bit longer.

“I’ve got you. Both of you.”

Chapter Text

“Huuuuuuugghh-”

“It’s okay, just let it all out,” Tim told Lucy as she threw up.

He held her hair up and rubbed her back, trying to bring as much comfort to her as he could. It had been a few weeks since finding out she was pregnant, and the morning sickness was hitting her hard. She couldn’t hold down any game they hunted and could barely stomach fruits and vegetables from the garden.

Tim stayed by her side every second. He knew they would need to hunt again soon, but he couldn’t bring Lucy out in her condition. For now, he just made best with what they had. Lucy finished vomiting and leaned back against his chest. Tim flushed the toilet and took a wash cloth and wiped her face.

“Come on,” he nudged her. “Let’s get you back in bed.” He helped her stand and walked her to their bedroom where he laid her down on the bed before tucking her underneath the covers. He went and grabbed another wash cloth, wetting it with water, before returning to the bedroom and sitting on the edge of the bed next to Lucy. He tucked her hair behind her ear and dabbed the cloth against her forehead. She let out a happy moan, which caused him to smile at her.

“I’m sorry you’re so sick,” he soothed.

“You should be. This is all your fault,” she said, trying her best to give him a smug grin.

“I believe it takes two to tango, Chen,” he retorted.

“Well, I thought you would’ve had better pullout game.”

“Ouch!”

Lucy let out a chuckle.

“But, thank you for taking care of me. I really appreciate it.”

His lips twitched up in a mischievous smile. “Sure, that’s what friends are for.”

Lucy scoffed and shoved his chest.

“Hey, that’s what you get for the pullout game comment.” He kissed her forehead, a soft chuckle escaping him.

She rolled her eyes. “Touche.”

Lucy began to turn pale right before she started gagging again. Tim hauled her out of bed and raced her to the bathroom. She barely made it before throwing up again. He sighed in sympathy as he once again held her hair and rubbed her back.

He knew this was common with pregnancy, but seeing the woman he loved in this much pain and knowing there was nothing he could do about it, scared him.

This time, after she was done vomiting and he had finished cleaning her up, he took her to her old bedroom since it was the closest to the bathroom.

He laid her down and by the time he came back with the wash cloth, her eyes were half closed. He got to work again trying to sooth and comfort her the best he could.

“All joking aside, how are you feeling?”

“Like I got hit by a truck. Everything is setting me off. I haven’t been able to hold anything down today and it’s starting to scare me.”

Tim was getting worried too, he was worried about her accidentally starving herself at this point. This would be one thing in the normal world where all they would have to do is talk to an OB and Lucy would be able to get the help she needed. But now, resources were limited, especially where they were.

He knew deep down inside he would have to go find medication alone if she and the baby had any shot at being okay.

“What is it?” Lucy asked, breaking his thought process.

“I think you need some medication to help with the pregnancy. Meaning I’m going to have to go out on my own to find it.”

“Tim!? What? No!” She cried as she panicked and reached for him.

“Lucy, you can’t eat anything without throwing up. You said it yourself, it’s scaring you.”

“But not enough for me to let you put yourself in danger by going out alone. What is the number one rule we have?”

“You broke it when I got sepsis.”

“That was different, you were dying, I’m not.”

“No, but we are in the apocalypse and you need to be extra diligent with your health. Especially now since you are pregnant. I’m not saying being pregnant makes you incapacitated or that you need a protector, but if I can find you something that can help you at least hold down some food, then it will be worth it, so please. Let me go find some medicine for you.” he reached out and started running his fingers through her hair. Lucy sighed as she looked up at him.

“You promise to be safe?” She asked, taking his free hand.

“I promise.”

Lucy nodded and Tim leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

“Why don’t you get some sleep in the meantime,” he suggested as he tucked the blanket up underneath her chin.

“Please stay until I do?” Lucy asked .

Tim smiled and nodded.

“I’ll be back before you know it. I love you,” he said as he leaned forward and kissed her forehead again, something he learned brought her comfort when she was scared.

“I love you too. Just get home safe.”

“I will, don’t worry. Just go to sleep,” Tim whispered.

He ran his fingers through Lucy’s hair until she fell asleep. He kissed her on the forehead one last time and left the bedroom to gather his gear. Once he had everything he needed, he quietly left the cabin.

_

Tim drove around until he found an old, abandoned store. He walked in and made his way to the pharmacy area. He looked around at all the shelves trying to find where anything pregnancy related might have been kept. The shelves weren’t packed by any means, but there were still pill bottles scattered everywhere. He reminded himself to come back through here and gather everything else, but first he had to find something for Lucy.

Tim turned down another aisle when he saw a shelf with the word “pregnancy” sticking out of it. He raced to the shelf only to discover it was picked clean. From prenatal vitamins to morning sickness supplements, it was all gone.

“Are people really doing it this much in the apocalypse?” He wondered out loud.

“Looking for something?” A voice startled Tim out of his thoughts. He immediately turned towards the source, his crossbow aimed at the person’s head. He saw a skinny man with short black hair and a beard. He was dressed in a sweater and jeans. A bit too nice for the apocalypse. The man put his hands up and offered Tim a relaxed smile.

“Who the hell are you and what do you want?” growled Tim.

“Easy son, I mean no harm.”

“Then why the hell are you lurking around in an abandoned store during an apocalypse?” Tim demanded.

The man let out a chuckle.

“I think the real question is why are you here? I was observing you. It’s obvious you came looking for a certain something. After all, you didn’t stop until you got to these shelves,” he said, indicating to the prenatal shelves.

Tim shot the man an icy glare. “I don’t like the fact that you were spying on me, so if you don’t want to see what I am capable of, I suggest you leave.”

“But then you wouldn’t have this.”

That was when Tim noticed the man had a plastic grocery bag. He reached in and pulled out a bottle of prenatal vitamins and a bottle of morning sickness supplements. “I mean, this is the reason you stopped in this aisle. Cause I’m guessing there is someone special in need of this? After all, you are out here alone.”

Tim scoffed at the man.

“So what, you just hang out in here and act creepy as you pass out pregnancy medication.”

“Well yes and no. See, my name is Richard. I am part of a group not far from here. We take in families with children or expecting families as they are the most vulnerable. And it’s safe to assume you and your wife are in the latter of that category?”

“She’s not my wife, she’s my girlfriend, but yes, we are.” Tim watched as the man’s simile twitched down ever so slightly.

“Well, the fact that you two were still able to create a blessing in this messed up world is truly a miracle. And I’m assuming since you’re out here by yourself, things aren’t going well. I mean, it is a huge risk to come here like this on your own. And being out here like this shows you’ll do anything to keep that blessing of yours safe.”

“What’s your point?” Tim demanded, his tone cold.

“Come to my community. We have doctors and nurses. You can get more medication like this. We can keep the mother and child healthy with all the care they can get. We even have a working ultrasound machine. Wouldn’t you love to hear that precious heartbeat?”

Tim stared down at the man. He was saying all the right things, but something about him seemed off. But on the other hand, taking Lucy to a doctor might be the best option right now.

“I’ll have to talk to my girlfriend first,” said Tim.

“Oh of course, of course,” Richard replied. “In the meantime, take these.” he tossed the two bottles at Tim’s feet. “If you do want to join our community, it’s eight miles due east of here.”

Tim nodded as he took the bottles and put them in the pockets of his cargo pants.

“Thank you,” Tim replied and then he took off.

_

He got back to the cabin and saw Lucy was still asleep. He went and filled a cup with water before heading into her bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed and tucked some hair behind her ears. Lucy awoke and blinked at him as her vision came into focus.

“Hey baby,” he murmured. Lucy smiled at the pet name as he stroked her head.

“Hey,” she rasped, voice still heavy with sleep, turning on her back to face him. “You made it.”

“I did, and I got these,” he said, holding out the two bottles. Lucy beamed at him as he helped her sit up and unscrewed the lids.

“I can’t believe you found both,” she exclaimed as she popped the morning sickness supplement into her mouth.

“Well, not exactly, but that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Lucy looked at him curiously as she swallowed the prenatal vitamin with a cup of water.

“There was a man there in the pregnancy aisle. Claimed to have come from a community that takes in families and young couples expecting,” Tim explained.

“Okay.”

“He said they have doctors and nurses there for pregnant women as well as more medications. Even mentioned an ultrasound machine.”

“But you don’t trust him, do you?” She finished his thought as if she could read his mind.

“No,” Tim confirmed as he shook his head. “No I don’t. He seemed sketchy and I was creeped out by him waiting in the aisles for someone to come along.”

Lucy studied Tim’s expression, as she processed what he was telling her.

“But I’m guessing you still want to go and check it out?” She asked.

Tim hesitated, but nodded.“It wouldn’t hurt to get an ultrasound done, just to make sure everything is okay.”

“Okay, then let’s at least do that. Go to this community, get an ultrasound done and if we are still uneasy, we can leave.”

“You trust it?” Tim asked.

“No,” she replied as she took his hand. “But I trust you. And I know you would never intentionally hurt me or your child. We wouldn’t even be having this conversation right now if you thought it was too risky. And I know you’ll protect me, just like I’ll protect you. We’ll have each other's back in there.”

Tim grinned at her before breathing the words come here as he leaned in. Lucy smiled as they kissed each other on the bed. Tim gave her another chaste kiss after the first one and pulled back to admire her.

“I love you,” he sighed.

“I love you too.”

“So we’re in agreement, once we can get your morning sickness under control we’ll go to this community.”

“Yes, and at the very least get an ultrasound done. Then we leave if things feel sketchy.”

“Alright, sounds like a plan. Is there anything else you need?”

Lucy glanced down, then back up at him.

“Some cuddles,” she pleaded, her nose scrunching up in that adorable way he loved.

Tim chuckled, and rolled his eyes, shaking his head at her. Lucy giggled and scooted over as Tim climbed into the bed. Once he was in, he wrapped his arm around Lucy as she laid her head against his chest.

“No matter what happens, I’ve got you,” he promised as he kissed her on the forehead.

“And I’ve got you too.”

They didn’t know what was ahead, but they both knew they would do whatever they could to keep each other and their child safe.

Chapter Text

Tim pulled the shop over to the side of the road about a mile from where Richard
said their community was. He put it in park and glanced over at Lucy.

“Are you sure about this?” He asked.

“No,” said Lucy, looking down at her stomach. She placed her hand on a bump that was barely there and gave it a light rub. “But, I want to see if our child is okay and what’s in store for us.”

Tim reached out and rubbed the back of her neck before reaching down and resting his hand on her stomach.

“We’ll get the ultrasound and go from there. And I will be right by your side the entire time.”

Lucy smiled and leaned in to kiss him. She felt Tim cup her cheek as their lips touched and after a few moments, they pulled back.

“Okay,” said Tim. “Let’s go meet our baby.”

They went around to the back of the shop, to gather their weapons. Before they left the cabin, Tim told Lucy to be discreet and to bring ones that weren’t as useful in case the community tries to take them away and they don’t get them back.

They each holstered old guns they had gotten off some deceased a few months back that neither really cared for. Lucy slipped a switch blade into the side of her boot on each foot as Tim put a push knife behind his belt buckle.

“And you don’t think they’ll discover these, right?” Lucy asked as she re-laced her boots.

“No,” replied Tim. “Most likely anyone searching us will be an amature. They won’t know how to do a basic pat down outside of the movies.” He reached out a hand to help her up and they began their walk.

“What’s your confidence level at?” Lucy asked.

“I mean, I’m skeptical. He did seem a bit off, but if there is any chance they have doctors or someone there that can help with the baby, then maybe it will be worth it. But at the first sign of trouble, we’re out of there.”

“You won’t get any argument from me. I’m assuming we’re also not gonna mention we’re cops?”

“You assumed correct.”

“Then we’re gonna need a back story. For when they ask what we did before. Gotta be something generic. Oh! We could say we were a couple on vacation from Oregon. I ran a bakery and you ran a gym.”

“I think you are overthinking this. Also, why are we from Oregon and not LA?”

“Because, people might ask from what neighborhood and if we give one that someone is from, they might know we’re lying.”

“Okay, but what are the chances these people are from LA?”

“We’re from LA.”

Tim sighed and looked at her, “Alright, fair point. How did we meet?”

“Hmmmm. The Starbucks that was on your way to work’s coffee machine had broken down. Meaning the only other place you could go to was my hipster bakery. You walked in already grumpy about having to go into a uppity place like mine. Until you saw me, and fell head over heels in love with me,” her voice growing breathy at the end like she was telling a fairy tale and someone rolled the credits on the happily ever after.

“Really? Love at first sight?” He mocked. Lucy scoffed and went to smack him in the chest with the back of her hand. But he caught her wrist and gave her knuckles a light kiss, causing Lucy to roll her eyes.

“You’re lucky you’re charming.”

“I prefer handsome,” he pulled her closer and gave her a kiss on the lips that he felt her smile against. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Now, let’s get going before we change our minds.”

They continued their walk for a bit longer before they came to some large gates.

“You ready for this?” Tim asked.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Lucy tightened her grip on the crook of Tim’s elbow as they walked forward. They noticed a man standing at the top of the gate in a walkway.

“Hello?” Tim called out. “I was told by someone named Richard to come here. My girlfriend is pregnant and he said you guys can help.”

The man pulled out a radio, speaking into it in a hushed way. A few seconds later the gates opened, revealing Richard’s silhouette as he walked out.

“Welcome, my friends, welcome,” he greeted as he approached them, with what looked like a guard on either side of him. He extended his hand out and shook Tim’s. “I remember meeting you yesterday, but didn’t get your name. Care to make this formal?”

“Tim,” he responded casually.

“Ah, Tim. Good to see you again.” He turned to Lucy, taking a moment to give her a once over. “And I’m assuming this is the girl you spoke of?”

“Yes, this is Lucy.”

“Pleasure to meet you sir,” Lucy addressed, extending her hand.

“Oh please, the pleasure is all mine,” he said as he took her hand and kissed it.

Lucy abruptly pulled her hand back in shock. Tim turned her towards him, standing slightly more in between Richard and Lucy.

“You’ll have to excuse me,” apologized Richard. “I’m a bit formal.”

Tim and Lucy just nodded, both unsteady about what transpired. The two guards then stepped towards them.

“Standard search,” explained Richard. “You understand.”

Lucy and Tim nodded and broke apart to let themselves get searched. Like Tim predicted, they found the old guns, but neither found the knives. They backed off once satisfied and resumed their positions next to Richard as Lucy took Tim’s arm once again.

“Well come on,” said Richard. “There’s much to see here.”

They followed him inside the gates and once they were fully in, they heard them shut and lock. They turned back to look at the gates, before looking at each other.

Lucy squeezed Tim’s arm, her anxiety starting to rise. Tim, as calm as ever, reached up and placed a hand over hers. His thumb rubbed across the back of her hand, letting her know she was okay and safe with him.

“So, where to first?” Tim asked as they started their walk.

“The playgrounds,” answered Richard, directing them to follow him. Tim took the opportunity to look at what was around him. So far it seemed like a small compound with buildings no more than four stories scattered around. By the gate, Tim noticed several church vans all parked neatly next to one another, before continuing forward.

Soon, Richard showed them a decent size playground where children were playing along with two women watching them. “We have a school here, where children are taught everything they will need to thrive in our brave new world.”

Lucy observed the children as they played quietly. One child sat on the swings, looking down at her shoes. Another little boy traced finger quietly in a sandbox.

“They don’t seem to happy,” Lucy pointed out.

“These kids have all been traumatized by what has happened outside these walls.”

“Come on Simon, let’s go.” They heard someone say. A woman approach a small boy on a bench.

“No, I don’t want to go,” he argued.

“Come on, let’s get going, Mommy isn’t in the mood.”

“No no no NO!” The boy cried as his Mom pulled him off the bench and took him away. Lucy noticed how wide the boys eyes were and what looked like true terror taking over his face.

She was a nanny before she became a cop and has delt with her fair share of tantrums and kids refusing to leave the park, but this…this was different. She looked back at Tim who gave her a look, he noticed it too. Tim and Lucy both turned back to Richard.

“Kids.” He shrugged. “What can you do about them?”

Richard then spent the next fifteen minutes showing them where the dining hall was, the living quarters, and where the main area of the community was. Lucy and Tim’s cop eyes scanned the place left and right.

One thing that Lucy noticed right away was that despite this place being a safe haven for pregnant women and young families, she hadn’t seen a single pregnant person since being here.

“Where are all the pregnant women?” She asked. “I thought this place would have more considering it’s supposed to be their safe haven.”

“A lot of them opt to stay inside,” Richard answered. “I know we have walls, but they feel safer that way, you know?”

Lucy only nodded, sharing a quick glance with Tim.

“So, I gotta ask,” said Tim as they left the town square. “How do you feed all these people and also provide working electricity, considering you have ultrasounds?”

“We have farms and a whole system in the back. I honestly don’t have the slightest sense in how the power is run around here. You’ll have to ask my brother about that one.”

“Can we see where the farming is?” Lucy asked.

“You know, it’s really not subtable for someone in your condition. In fact, I’ve held you guys up long enough. Why don’t I take you to the maternity ward. Get you that ultrasound I promised.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Tim. He watched as Richard pulled out his radio and communicated they were coming and took them in the direction of the maternity ward.

“How are you feeling?” Tim murmured to Lucy.

“I’d say, let’s leave after the ultrasound, something doesn't seem right,” she whispered back.

“Agreed.” Tim squeezed her hand, letting her know it would all be okay.

–

They walked into the maternity ward several minutes later. Richard took them to a room with an exam table and an ultrasound machine already hooked up and ready to go.

“Hello!” Said what looked to be a young nurse sitting by the machine and an older woman standing behind her.

“This is Samantha,” Richard introduced. “She’ll be giving the ultrasound today. And the woman behind her is Vivienne, she’s the head of the maternity ward. Samatha, Vivienne, this is Tim and Lucy.”

“Oh it’s nice to meet you!” Samantha expressed as she pulled a both shocked and resistant Lucy and Tim into a hug. “And what a blessing it is that you have found us. Truly shows that good can still shine through in these wicked times.”

“Uh huh,” Lucy hummed.

While everything seemed nice, it was too nice and this place and the people were giving her the creeps.

“Now, how about you get on the table and we can take a look at this little miracle ourselves,” suggested Samantha.

Lucy nodded and Tim walked her over. He helped her lay down and then rolled up her shirt. He held Lucy’s hand as Samatha squirted the jelly on her stomach, causing Lucy to flinch at the chill.

“It’s a little cold, but it will be worth it, trust me.” She rubbed the doppler across Lucy’s stomach for a few seconds before a little blob in the shape of a baby appeared on screen. Samatha hit a button and a whooshing noise filled the room, causing Lucy gasp.

“Tim, look. That’s our baby! And that’s it’s heartbeat too!” She glanced at Tim who had tears in his eyes.

“I know,” he cried. He stroked her head and kissed the knuckles of the hand he was holding. “So, everything looks okay?”

“Yes,” replied Samantha. “Everything looks perfect. Lucy is about twelve weeks along.”

“So that’s it, you’re confirming a healthy pregnancy?”Richard asked.

“Yes I am!”

“Excellent.”

“Wait, why are you confirming that?” Lucy asked. But before Lucy could get an answer, the doors burst open and an older couple stormed in.

“Is it true? We heard there was a pregnant women! We were promised the next one!” The man said.

“Excuse me!?” Lucy shouted as she sat up. Tim wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders and pulled her against him.

“Can you tell if it’s a boy? We only want it if it’s a boy!” The woman exclaimed.

“You’re not getting our child, now get the fuck out of here!!” Lucy yelled.

Then, in one swift motion, Vivianne yanked Lucy away from Tim and smacked her across the face.

“Get you’re hands off of her!” Tim shouted. He tried to pull Lucy back, but a guard slammed his gun into the back of Tim’s head, knocking him unconscious.

“TIM!!!” Lucy screamed as Vivienne wrestled her back down onto the table. Another guard came and helped the previous one drag Tim’s unconscious form out.

“Get her under control,” groaned Richard as he followed Tim and the guards out.

Samatha helped Vivienne handcuff Lucy to the table as she screamed and kicked at the them.

“Let him go! Where are you taking him!? Please let him go!!!”

Samantha pinned Lucy down by her shoulders. That’s when Lucy saw Vivianne pull out a syringe with a needle.

“Now you listen here my girl,” she sneered as she pressed the needle into Lucy’s neck. “You and your boyfriend have committed the sin of fornication before the martial bond in holy matrimony could be formed. Because of that sin, God has bestowed upon you a child to carry for a godly couple who cannot conceive.”

“This baby is mine,” Lucy growled. “No one is is taking them from me. Now you bring my boyfriend back in here and we are leaving!!!”

Vivienne slapped Lucy across the face again. It stung so much, Lucy felt tears in her eyes. Vivienne aggressively grabbed her chin and made Lucy face her. Lucy felt the needle go further into her neck, but Vivienne didn't press down on the plunger.

“That child growing inside of you is not yours. You are not to see that sinning man ever again. You will join the other pregnant women in their dormitory and learn how to repent and save your soul. You will do all of this and what I say when I say it. Otherwise I inject you with this needle and you will go to sleep and not wake up until after the baby is born. Is all this understood?”

Lucy very quickly realized she had no choice here. If she and Tim were to have any hope of making it out of here, they would have to cooperate for the time being. She also knew the more she panicked, the more risk it would bring to her child. And lord knows where they brought Tim or what they were going to do to him. To survive for herself, him, and their baby, she would have to stay calm and comply.

“Okay, I understand ma’am and will do as you say.”

Vivienne smiled and took the needle out of her neck. She tapped Lucy lightly on the cheek.

“There’s my good girl,” she said as she hugged her and Lucy hugged her back.

Yes, she would comply.

… For now

Chapter Text

Tim opened his eyes to the blurry world around him.
He tried to sit up, but felt a sharp pain shoot through his head. He put his hand to his head and laid back down. He wondered where he was and how he got here. That’s when his memories hit him like a tone of bricks.

Him and Lucy coming to the community, the ultrasound, a couple coming in and trying to take the baby. But his last memory was by far the worst one.

Lucy, ripped from his arms right before they hurt her, and her screams for him as everything went black.

“I’ve got to find her,” he whispered to himself. Tim went to throw himself out of the bed, but his arm jerked him back. He realized he was handcuffed to the bed. He tugged it three more times, but to no avail.

“Relax man, take it easy.”

He looked towards the voice and saw a man approach him. “Trust me, you don't wan-” but the man didn’t get to finish his sentence before Tim had his free hand around the man’s throat.

“Now you listen to me,” Tim growled. “Trust me when I say my girlfriend and I are dangerous people and now with the law gone, there isn’t much we have to worry about. So you are going to tell me where they took her or so help me, I will send you to the God you believe in, in pieces, do you understand?”

“I-I’m not- with t-hem,” the man choked.

“What?”

“P-p-risoner.”

Tim let the man go and he dropped to the ground, coughing and gasping for air.

“Sorry,” said Tim. “I thought you were one of them.”

“Don’t sweat it,” he said, as he stood up. “Believe it or not, I’m used to it. It’s my job to wake up the newbies.”

“That’s great, now can you help me get out of here.”

“That I cannot do, unfortunately.”

“What do you mean?” Tim demanded as he got in the stranger’s face.

“Listen, your girlfriend is pregnant I’m assuming?”

Tim’s widened in shock at his statement. “How did you-”

“Mine is too, and if you care at all about what happens to her or your child, which I know you do since I now know what Loki felt like in Infinity War,” he mumbled as he rubbed his throat. “I suggest you keep your temper down. Otherwise they might hurt her.”

Tim let out an angry grunt and sat back on the bed realizing he was right. Even though Tim wanted nothing more than to kill anyone in his way of getting to Lucy, the best way to protect her was by staying calm.

“Look,” the man sighed, as he sat across from Tim on another bed. “I get it, okay. When they first took my girl from me, I was ready to burn this place down, I did escape and got to her and we almost got out, but they caught us. Even though the escape was my idea, they hurt her. Gave her a black eye so bad, she couldn’t even open it.”

Tim felt sick at thought of those monsters doing something like that to Lucy. “I’m sorry. What’s the deal with these guys deal anyways?”

“They are some cult who’s obsessed with babies and repopulating the earth. They target and lure in young families and couples who either have young children or are pregnant, then take the kids from them when they deem them unworthy. If the woman is pregnant, they assign the baby to a family who will take it at birth.”

“Jesus,” Tim let out a shaky breath, rubbing his forehead. He just found out about his baby, and now someone wants to take them from him? All because they think he and Lucy are “unworthy?”

“Well what happens to the women? After they give birth?” Tim asked, afraid of the answer.

“I don’t know. My girlfriend and I were the first ones they brought in. She should be getting close now.”

“So if they take the women’s babies as their punishment, what is ours? Why are we kept?”

“Well first off, they call it repentance. Second of all, we do hard labor. Mainly by working in the fields and livestock barns.”

“So that’s why they didn’t want us see it.”

“Bingo,” the guy replied. “So, what’s your name? So I can introduce you to the other guys?”

“Tim.”

“Well Tim, my name is Thomas,” he introduced, extending his hand.

Tim shook it. “Pleasure to meet you, wish it was under different circumstances.”

The two men were interrupted by the sound of a door hitting a wall.

“Didn’t I tell you to come get me when the prisoner woke up!?” Barked the guard as he entered.

“Sorry! He was just a little upset when I woke him, I was just calming him down.”

“You know the rules! Once they wake, we must take them outside to begin their repentance!”

“My apologies, let’s get him uncuffed so he can start, okay?”

The guard uncuffed Tim and forced him to his feet. He felt the tip of his rifle go into his back.

“Follow this man outside. Don’t stop walking until he gives you your tools, understood?” The guard ordered.

“Yes sir,” Tim grunted.

“Good.” The man’s rifle nudged Tim’s back. “Now move.”

While Tim knew he could take the guy, easily, he kept his composure, because if it kept Lucy and the baby safe, then it was worth it.

–

Lucy was taken by Vivienne to the barracks for the pregnant women under armed guard. Lucy had one man in front of her and one man behind her, with Vivienne holding her by her upper arm. While Lucy kept her head facing forward, she used her eyes to scan the environment around her, already planning her and Tim’s escape. She noticed that they were walking towards the back of the community, meaning that’s where all the pregnant women seemed to be kept. But had Tim been taken towards the back too? It would make sense considering Richard wouldn’t let them see this area earlier.

There also seemed to be only one entrance in and out of the place. She remembered from her psychology courses as well as from when Caleb took her to ask her captors questions. It can buy you time, but also they can unknowingly give you information that can help you.

“So what gave you the bright idea to start capturing pregnant women and taking their babies?” Lucy sneered.

“We don’t capture pregnant women, we give their lives meaning,” corrected Vivienne.

“Okay, what was your inspiration?”

“Well Richard was a traveling prophet, trying to spread the good word. He traveled the country with the goal of saving people and having them join our group to continue the work he was doing. Richard knew the end was coming, so he had our people build the community to keep us safe for when we go up into the heavens. He spoke on and on about how it was coming and we could provide safety, but no one would listen. Then the rapture did start, and Satan unleashed his demons onto the world, turning anyone who they laid their teeth on into one his demons. We thought with the rapture we would go up, but we were wrong you see. We were spared to live and turn this world into true worthy one. But some still sin, so it is up to us to vanquish the sinners and make good on god’s gifts he blesses us with.”

Lucy felt a bit more nervous, but didn’t show it. If anything, it showed her that they were more focused on capturing and scaring people. To the point it sounded like they were confident anyone captured wouldn’t try anything. And Lucy knew arrogance, was a weak point.

“You’ve gone quiet,” observed Vivienne.

“Oh, I’m just thinking about how grateful I am for the chance to repent.”

Vivienne yanked her hard to a stop. “Don’t play coy with me, my girl. I know how your kind are. And don’t think that claiming you’re going to repent means you get to keep the child that is inside of you. Because you sinned, God is punishing you by carrying a baby you are not allowed to keep, is that understood?”

Lucy had to bite her tongue from saying what she really wanted to say. But if she had any chance of escaping, she had to play meek. Let them think they were scaring her.

“Yes ma’am,” she responded.

“Good girl,” Vivienne said, with a light pat on the cheek. “We’re here.”

The barrack was nothing fancy. Just a single story building with a flat roof and small windows towards the top that Lucy could tell from the outside barley let any light in.

She brought Lucy into the dark and dingy barrack. There were flimsy beds lining the walls and a table surrounded by chairs going down the middle. Over a dozen pregnant women were in there. All at various stages and all looking miserable.

“Look girls, you have a new friend. Her name is Lucy. Do what you can to make her feel welcomed.”

Vivienne shoved Lucy in, turned, and left with the two soldiers, closing and locking the door behind her.

“I wouldn’t say whatever you’re going to say too loudly,” said a woman, catching Lucy’s attention. She noticed she was a heavily pregnant, with bright red hair and wore a kind smile. “They stand outside and listen in. Best to whisper it.”

“I was about to say, this place is giving me a Handmaid’s Tale vibe,” commented Lucy, voice low to keep the guards from hearing.

“Yeah, you’re not the only one. I think they used it as a guide rather than a warning. My name is Janine by the way,” she introduced, extending her hand. Lucy gave her a slightly shocked look considering that was the name of the red haired handmaid in the story.

“Ironic name, I know.” Janine playfully rolled her eyes, making Lucy let out a little chuckle.

“Lucy,” she responded as she took Janine’s hand and shook it. Janine gently took her arm and started walking with her.

“So, how far along are you?” She asked Lucy.

“About twelve weeks. I would ask you the same thing, but you look like you’re about to pop.”

“Oh I am,” she sighed. “I’ve been here almost the entier length of my pregnancy.”

“Gosh, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. Right now I am seeing this as time with my baby since I don’t know what will happen after they are born.” Lucy gave her a reassuring rub. Then Janine directed her to an empty bed. “This will be yours, and I’m right next to you.”

Janine went to sit on her own bed, but Lucy noticed how much she struggled, so she got up and helped her sit, before returning to her bed.

“Thanks.”

“What do they do with our boyfriends?” Lucy asked.

“They have them work the farm. Butchering animals, picking fruits and vegetables, anything they deem as hard labor.”

Lucy sighed in relief, now knowing where Tim was. If an escape was going to happen, she would need Tim’s help, and anyone else he could rope in. She could sneak out, but there was probably armed guard outside the door and she would have no way of knowing where she was going. Leaving her only one other option.

“Is there anyway to get messages out to them?”

“There’s a women named Sarah who brings us our meals everyday. If you have a message you want to send, at breakfast you set your fork and knife on either side of your plate when you’re finished. At lunch she’ll slip you a pen and paper. Once lunch is over, she’ll collect the note and give it to whoever. I’m guessing you want to check in on your boyfriend?”

“Well, yes.” Lucy glanced around, all the other women who didn’t seem to be paying attention. She didn’t think anyone would rat them out, since this could let them keep their babies, but she didn’t want to risk it. She went and sat on Janine’s bed and whispered to her.

“My boyfriend and I were cops. I think we can help everyone escape.”

Chapter Text

“You can help us escape? With our babies?” Janine exclaimed. 

She caught the attention of everyone else in the room. The women all quickly surrounded the two. Lucy didn’t mean to gather this much attention this quickly, but the cat was out of the bag now.

“Can you? Can you really help us escape?” Janine asked again. All the women looked at Lucy, who she could see were filling up with hope. Suddenly, it was like a light had turned on in the dark room without anyone hitting a switch. She could see the misery and despair slowly going away. 

“I can try. My boyfriend and I were both cops in the LAPD. He also comes from a military background. If I can get in contact with him, we can form a plan.”

“I don’t know about all of this, it sounds too risky,” one woman spoke as she quivered.

“Come on, don’t you want a chance to keep your child?” Another girl asked.

“But she’s right, it’s risky, and probably too risky to talk about right now. Best to wait till everyone has gone to bed,” stated Janine as she turned her attention to Lucy.

“We already had lunch today, but you can send the signal at dinner and Sarah can bring the pen and paper tomorrow.” 

“Works for me. How soon will I hear back from my boyfriend?” Lucy asked.

“It can take awhile depending on when meals are being served, but hopefully within the next day or two,” explained one woman. The conversation was then cut short when they heard voices outside drawing closer.

“Shit, it’s visitation time, everyone go stand by your beds!” Janine urged.

“What’s visitation?” Lucy asked.

“When the couples assigned to the baby come and visit to ‘bond.’” No sooner than Janine replied, Vivienne burst through the doors.

“It’s visitation time girls! Prepare yourselves!” 

The next thing Lucy knew, couples came flooding and scattered throughout the room, each couple flocking to a pregnant woman before dropping to their bellies.

“Hello baby, it’s you’re mommy!” One lady cooed as she caressed a very annoyed woman’s belly.

“Are you growing strong in there son?”

“How’s my precious baby girl?”

“Oh mommy can’t wait to meet you, oh no she can’t!” 

Lucy looked around in horror at what she was watching.

“This is sick,” she mumbled to herself. She knew right then and there, she was going to do whatever it took to get these women and their babies out. 

“Lucy,” she looked and noticed Vivienne walking towards her.

“Yes, Vivienne?”

“I need you to come with me,” she followed Vivienne out of the barracks and was met with Richard and an older looking woman. Lucy felt her heart start to race, an anger flaring up inside her. 

She wanted to attack him, make him pay for what he’s doing to her and all the other women here. For how he took Tim and all their other significant others away from them. But she didn’t, reminding herself to comply so she can keep Tim safe in the long run. Vivienne gave her a sharp tug and made her stand closer to the couple.

“Behave,” growled Vivienne. “That’s Richard’s wife Nerissa, and she is seeing if that baby is her’s.”

Lucy wanted to scream that the baby was hers, but she didn’t. She bit her tongue and went along with the whole spectacle.

“What do you think dear? I told ya she’s a pretty thing, meaning the baby will be cute too.” 

Nerissa approached Lucy and took her roughly by the chin, turning her head side to side so she can examine her. 

“Hmm, a little chubby, but she does have a good facial structure.” She let her go with a thrust, causing Lucy to stumble. “How far along are you?”

“Twelve weeks,” Lucy bit out.

“And is the father in good health?” 

Lucy felt a lump in her throat form and the mere thought of Tim. The way Nerissa mentioned him was as if he was nothing more than a sperm donor. But as the question played again in Lucy’s head, fear struck her as she had no idea if he was healthy or what these people did to him, but she had to stay strong. She can’t show any emotion.

“Yes,” she managed. “He is.” 

Nerissa placed her hand on Lucy’s belly and closed her eyes. Lucy fought back an angry sigh and the urge to roll her eyes as Nerissa slowly moved her hand around, fueling the anger inside of Lucy.

“Yes,” she sighed. “I can feel it! This baby is mine, this is the one, Richard!” She dropped down to her knees and pressed her forehead against Lucy’s belly. “The lord has finally chosen us, Richard.” 

“Yes, Nerissa,” he said, giving Lucy a sly look. He walked forward and caressed the side of Lucy’s face down to her chin and held his grip there. “He most certainly has.” 

An evil smile crept across his face. Lucy looked at him with a fire in her eyes, ready to take him on and do whatever it took to get her and her family out.

_

Later that night, after Lucy had finished eating her dinner, she set her knife and fork on each side of the plate like she was instructed. The woman she presumed as Sarah saw the placement, nodded, then took her plate away. The next morning, when Sarah placed Lucy’s breakfast in front of her at the table, she glanced at the napkin, then back to her. Lucy nodded and then placed the napkin in her lap. 

She subtly undid it and a piece of paper and pencil fell out. She ate her breakfast like anyone else and then waited until Vivienne wasn’t paying attention. As she waited, she thought about what she could write. It would have to be discrete, but enough that Tim would still be able to understand it. That’s when she decided to write in police codes. No one else here would know them, but her and Tim.

When Lucy knew she was in the clear, she quickly scribbled on the note under the table and then folded the note back up and slipped it in with her napkin. She placed her fork and knife on either side of her plate, indicating it was ready to be picked up. When Sarah came by to pick up her plate, she saw the signal, took her plate, and left.

“That was quick, whatever you wrote,” said Janine.

“I didn’t need to write much. Tim will get the message.”

–

Tim entered the barracks, stricken with sweat and dirt from digging in the fields all day. His hands were covered in blisters and he was pretty sure he had a sunburn all along his neck. 

One of the servants came in after all the men had arrived to drop off their dinners. Tim thought her name was Sarah? She was quiet, and reserved, but always treated the men with dignity and respect. She handed Tim his brown paper bag, he thanked her, and she went on her way. 

When Tim first opened the bag, he noticed a note with his name on it. Upon closer inspection, he noticed it was Lucy’s penmanship. Tim’s heart leapt out of his chest knowing she was okay. He calmed himself as he slipped it into his pocket, promising himself to read it later when it was safe. That night as soon as the guards had taken their post outside and it was lights out, Tim took out the note. 

Tim

10-74

Backup 12

Lucy

Tim studied the note, deciphering what Lucy had told him. 

“You brilliant girl,” he whispered to himself, a smile appearing on his face.

“What’s that?” Thomas asked.

“A note from Lucy.”

“What does it say?”

“I think she wants to try and plan an escape,” he explained.

“Come again?” 

“See this.” Tim pointed to the numbers. “10-74, that’s the police code for a prisoner breakout. Backup 12, I’m assuming that’s the amount of pregnant women in Lucy’s barrack who want to help.”

“I’m not even sure if that’s possible, also how do you know all of this?”

“Lucy and I were cops, and I was in the army. We can lead an escape, then you can be with your families again and you don’t have to worry about being separated.” 

Thomas thought about it for a moment.

“But how would we escape? These guys keep this place under constant guard, we would need some kind of distraction.”

“I can make a fertilizer bomb,” popped up a voice from the bed behind them. 

Tim and Thomas turned to look at a third man.

“I was a chemist at UCLA, because of that, they have me handling the fertilizer here. I can make a fertilizer bomb and we can set it up on the far side of the fields and blow a hole in the fence. That will distract them enough, plus attract some smaller zombie hoards.”

“Well can’t the zombie’s run?” Tim asked.

“Only the fresher ones, once they’ve been dead for several months, they start to slow down,” explained a third man.

“Alright, this doesn't sound half bad. With them distracted in the back, we can escape through the front gate. I saw some church vans there when I first entered. We can hot wire those and get out,” Tim stated.

“Great, but what about the women?” Thomas asked.

“Lucy can lead them to safety, we just have to figure out where the entrance is from here.”

“The guards all carry maps. Once we take the ones outside our barracks out, we can use those,” said the chemist.

“Great, I’ll tell Lucy to do the same.”

“You have a lot of trust in her.” Thomas observed. 

Tim gave a slight chuckle. “She’s the reason I’m alive today. I’ll send a note back to Lucy, work out a date, then get back to you guys.” 

The men who had all gathered around by that point nodded and then went back to their beds. For the first time in a while they had hope.

–

The next day at dinner, Lucy got her note. She waited till night time to open it.

Lucy

Listen - 903

Then 10-74 

Rondezvous EP

37

DOE?

Tim

“What does it all mean?” Janine asked, looking over her shoulder.

“Well,” started Lucy. “903 means bombs, so I think the plan is to blow something up. 10-74 means prisoner escape, so he wants us to wait till after we hear the bomb go off, then escape.”

“What does EP mean?” Another woman asked. 

Lucy thought about it for a moment. “Entry point. He wants us to go to the front.”

“That’s where the church vans are,” said a third woman.

“Okay, that makes sense, 'cause 37 is the code for stolen vehicles.” The wheels in her mind began turning as Tim’s message finally started making sense. “Okay, I think I know what they’re thinking. Like I said I’m assuming they’re going to make an explosion somewhere. My guess, they’re going to use it as a distraction which means it will probably be somewhere along the border fence. Then when we hear that explosion, I’ll take out Vivienne and we can escape. After that we meet the men at the front, steal the church vans, and go.”

“But how will you take out Vivienne?” Janine asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

“I have knives hidden in my boots. These amateurs don’t know how to do a proper search,” she chuckled. “But does this all sound like a plan?”

The women all nodded. 

“I’ll find a way to tell Sarah. If this escape is going to be this big, we need to get the kids out too. The servants are gonna be the best ones for that since some of the servants are their moms” stated one woman.

Lucy tilted her head in confusion. “Wait, are those kids not the children of those already in this room?” 

The women all shook their heads.

“Some are, but if unmarried families who weren’t pregnant showed up with kids, they took them and gave them to married couples already here. Men went to work in the fields and the women became the servants,” explained Janine.

“Oh my god, Sarah is a mom!?” Lucy gasped at the realization, feeling her horror increase at the sight of the women nodding in confirmation. “Okay, this just all got a little bit more complicated, but we need to give Sarah time to talk to the other servants so they can form a plan. Which brings us to our next point. The DOE stands for Day of Escape. What kind of time frame do we all think will work?”

A hushed tone fell over the room as all the women thought about it. If it could be right now, they would, but they had to be smart and give everyone enough time to prepare.

“I’d say let’s write four nights from now,” said one of the women. “It’s soon, but it gives everyone enough time to get ready.”

All the women nodded in agreement.

“Okay, sounds like a plan, I’ll write a message to Tim if someone else can write one to Sarah.

Lucy took out the other piece of paper she was given and wrote another code.

DOE4N

She took a breath and prayed to whatever God above that was listening that this would go the way it was supposed too.