Chapter Text
“7-Adam-19, reports of noise disturbance at 1888 Elmwood Lane.”
“Copy that dispatch, show me responding.”
Lucy sighed, setting her radio back in its cradle. Today was not a day she enjoyed riding solo, some days she could bear it, but today just felt… long. She was desperate for some company to shake up the mundane routine of traffic stops and citations.
She pulled up alongside an abandoned house. It must have been quite a sight to behold when it was properly cared for. Brick facade, wrought iron gate surrounding it. She was almost envious. What must it be like to live in a house so grand?
Shaking off the thought, Lucy scanned the grounds before keying her mic. “Dispatch, I’m making entry.” She clicked on her flashlight, and drew her weapon as she pushed inside.
“LAPD,” she called out. “Anyone here?”
She did a quick sweep of the bottom floor, peeking into each room quickly before moving on to the next. She climbed the staircase cautiously, as she moved her search to the upper floor, calling out, “Look, I got a call about a noise disturbance. I don’t care if you’re a squatter, I just need to clear the building.”
Nothing but silence.
The layer of dust upstairs was even more thick than down, clearly no one had been in for quite some time. Holstering her weapon, she exhaled and headed back down. One more sweep, she told herself, then she’d clear the call.
Her hand was on the door when something shifted to her left, barely loud enough to register. Lucy froze, retracing her steps and moving toward the sound. One room led into another, and then another, each as empty as the last. She shook her head, dismissing it as a figment pf her imagination.
Time wasted. Grimacing, she reached for her radio. “Yeah, dispatch, there’s no one he—”
The floor gave way beneath her.
She slammed down hard, air rushing from her lungs, and a metal grate clanged shut where she had come through.
Lucy let out a hiss of pain as she staggered upright. She looked up, left and right. She was standing inside some kind of cylinder.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
She was in a fucking barrel.
Again
~~~
Tim snapped his head to the right. “Did you hear that?”
Ever since he and Lucy had done their undercover op, things had been… tense. He’d taken Thorson on as his aide, which was fine, Aaron was fine. But he wasn’t Lucy. Lucy knew him, knew what he needed before even he did. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t miss her. And as a result he caught himself paying more and more attention to the radio, locking in to the slightest trace of her voice. If he was honest, though, he’d been that way long before.
“No, hear what, sir?” Aaron asked, brows raised.
Tim rolled his eyes and grabbed for the radio. “Dispatch, confirm 7-Adam-19 status.”
He faintly registered Aaron muttering, “Should’ve known,” but he let it slide. Now wasn’t the time.
“Dispatch, this is 7-Adam-100, confirm 7-Adam—”
“7-Adam-100, please stand by.”
Tim growled in response, slamming the mic into the cradle. He pulled the shop to the curb, jaw clenched, giving Aaron a sharp look.
“Pull up her last known location. Now” he barked.
~~~
Meanwhile Lucy had done a few deep breaths to center herself and was trying to get hold of dispatch. Except when she reached for her radio it wasn’t on her hip. When she fell her radio must have slipped out of her hand, because it wasn’t in the tank with her.
Okay, phone then.
She pulled it out, wincing at the crack across the screen, but it still worked. “Thank god,” she sighed in relief.
~~~
7-Adam-100, we have 7-Adam-19 on the line. Patching her through now.”
“Lucy! What happened, are you okay?” Tim tried desperately not to let his anxiety show in his voice.
Anyone else might have missed it, but Lucy knew him. “I’m fine Tim, relax.” she forced her own voice to be as calm as she wanted him to be. “Listen, I’m in some sort of a.. a tank? I guess? I’m locked inside. There’s no way for me to get out.”
Tim already had the car screeching back onto the road, flipping on the lights and sirens. “Okay. Okay, Lucy, I’ve got you. I’m 7 minutes out.” He glanced at Aaron, before speaking quieter. “Are you okay? Do you need me to stay on the line?”
Lucy breathed a sigh of relief, because as well as she knew Tim, he knew her even more. Despite the strain between them lately, it was nice knowing he was coming. “Yeah.” she whispered. “Yeah that might be good.”
“Okay, talk to me.” Tim prompted. “Tell me what you see.”
“Honestly Tim, there’s not much.” she looked around, sweeping the tank with more focused eyes, and saw what she was too panicked to see before. Her stomach dropped. “Tim… It’s Rosalind.”
Tim reflexively clenched his hands. “What do you mean?”
“I mean it’s Rosalind.” Her chest tightened as she began to ramble. “Painted on the wall, it says ‘Got you.’ And there are cameras. Dammit, Tim, how did she do this to me again?”
“We’re not going to focus on her right now. Tell me what else you see.”
Lucy dragged a trembling hand across her forehead, trying to think. “Uhm, there’s ah.. Cameras. I see wires running up to the grate, and these… boxes. They look like…” She swallowed hard. “Explosives. Maybe?”
Aaron immediately called Sergeant Grey, getting them backup and Fire.
“Lucy, listen to me,” Tim said firmly. “We’ve got backup and LAFD en route. Don’t touch anything. I’m almost there, try to keep calm.”
~~~
Flashing lights bathed the house in red and blue. LAPD crews swept the property for any trace of Rosalind’s work, while LAFD helped set up heavy equipment.
Tim knelt beside the tank opening, looking down at Lucy. Thorson and Nolan hovered at his shoulder. “Hey,” Tim called down softly. “How’re you holding up?”
Lucy gave a dry laugh. “Alright… considering I’m trapped in yet another barrel, yeah. I’m fine.”
“LAFD is working with DWP on cutting the power now,” Tim reassured, surveying the setup below. “Once it’s down, we’ll get through this grate and lift you out.”
Lucy shook her head, “Tim… I’m not sure it’s going to be that eas-”
The house plunged into darkness. For a moment, there was nothing but silence.
Tim grinned. “Look at that, nothi-”
A deep rumble cut him off, vibrating through the floor. Lucy’s head snapped toward a pipe near her feet as water began to rush in, rising fast. “I think you spoke too soon,” she shot back, her panic resurfacing.
Tim froze, bewildered. Helpless to do anything ubt watch.
“Can you stop it?” Aaron asked.
Lucy glared up at him, holding her palms up, while the water continued to swirl around her ankles. “With what?!”
Angela appeared at Tim’s side. She tapped his shoulder and tilted her head toward the perimeter.
Tim’s jaw clenched. Begrudgingly, he turned back to Lucy, “I’ll be right back, okay?” He pushed to his feet, “Thorsen, stay with her.”
He followed Angela out to her cruiser, where Harper was already waiting. He slid into the front seat. “What’ve you got?”
Angela leaned forward, pausing as Nolan stepped into the car as well. “If this really is Rosalind, then we have to assume there’s more than a camera in that tank. And there’s no way she built that thing without help, she’s been on the run, and it’s too advanced, even for her.”
Nolan nodded. “I’ll start compiling a list of specialized materials, things she couldn’t have picked up at a hardware store. And if there’s a tank, then there’s a basement. I’ll pull the floor plans, see where an access point might be hidden.”
“Do it,” Harper agreed. “But tread carefully. That water’s already rising. We don’t want to trigger whatever else Rosalind wired into this place.”
Angela reached across the console, grasping Tim’s arm and squeezing. “I know it’s going to kill you, but I think the best thing you can do for Lucy is stay by that tank. Keep her steady.”
He nodded stiffly but said nothing, his jaw locked tight. He shoved the door open and climbed out, slamming it in his frustration.
By the time he reached the tank again, the water was climbing past Lucy’s waist. She tilted her chin up, looking at him with hopeful eyes. “I take it there’s a plan?” she asked.
“There is,” Tim said firmly, meeting her eyes. “And all you need to know is we’re getting you out. Nothing you can do from in there, so… relax a little. Kick back, maybe do a couple laps.”
Despite everything, Lucy snorted, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re such a jerk.”
Tim smirked and gave a small shrug. “Yeah, but I got you out of your head for a second right?”
Lucy rolled her eyes, but he saw the barest flicker of relief.
He struggled to think of what to say next. This wasn’t the first time Lucy had been in danger. Hell, it wasn’t even the second. But watching her trapped, water steadily creeping higher by the minute… She wasn’t supposed to be here alone. She should’ve been riding with him. If they’d just talked… No. No this wasn't the time. There would be time to talk after this was over
The water had risen to her ribs now. He cleared his throat, trying to stay practical. “You should take off your boots and belt. It might take a while to get you out, you'll need to tread water, so shedding extra weight..” he didn't need to finish.
Lucy nodded and bent as far as she dared without putting herself under the water. She worked at her bootlaces, toeing them off. Next she unbuckled her duty belt, and let it sink to the floor of the tank. She watched it with a quiet sigh. “Screw it,” she muttered, and began to unbutton her pants and shirt as well.”
Tim blinked. “What are you doing?”
Her pants were already halfway down when she glanced up. “You said extra weight, right? Our uniforms are wool, Tim.”
His breath caught. God, he shouldn’t be thinking about that right now. Not when she was standing waist-deep in freezing water. But she was Lucy. Fearless, infuriating, and so completely herself even here… and god her thighs were beautiful.
He swallowed hard. “Right. Yeah. Good thinking.” His voice came out rougher than intended. “Just… keep your head above water Chen.”
Lucy’s phone began to rang, the sound muffled against her chest. She fished it out from where she’d tucked it in her sports bra. A video call. She swiped to answer. “Chris?”
“My god, Lucy!” He exclaimed too loud and, too frantic. “I just stopped by the station to say hello, and Grey told me what’s happening. Why did it take so long for someone to tell me?”
Tim’s jaw tightened. Of course. Even now, Chris made it about himself. His panic, his fear, his need to be reassured. Tim turned his back, taking a few steps away to spare himself from hearing her comfort someone who didn’t deserve it.
Tim felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He dug it out and answered without looking at the caller ID, grateful for the distraction. “Yeah, it's Bradford.”
“Hello Timothy.”
He went rigid, a shiver running down his spine.
“Now,” Rosalind directed, “be a good boy and don’t tell anyone I’m on the line… or dear Officer Chen dies.”
He turned sharply, snapping his fingers at Aaron, forcing his voice to stay even. “Grey’s on the line asking for an update. You don’t leave Chen’s side for anything. Understood?”
Aaron nodded, confused but obedient.
“Oh, very good,” Rosalind purred. “Now I want you to walk outside for me. Calmly. Don’t try to alert anyone."
Tim’s stomach twisted into knots. He knew better than to test her. Rosalind never bluffed. And there was no way in hell he was going to further endanger Lucy. So, reluctantly he pressed the phone closer to his ear and walked out, carefully avoiding eye contact with anyone he passed.
He had no idea what Rosalind's plan was. Obviously to kill Lucy, but she always had other motives. But to go after Lucy, again…. His hand trembled ever so slightly. It was the only tell that something was wrong. Otherwise he was the perfect soldier. Unwavering. Steady.
Rosalind’s voice slithered back through the line. “You’re doing great. When you reach the end of the driveway, stop. Then I’m going to give you a choice.”
Tim stopped at the curb, and looked around to make sure no one could overhear. He kpet his voice low. “Alright. Now what.”
“Option one,” she purred. “You hang up and go back to Officer Chen. Rely on your methods of saving her, and hope you’re in time.”Option two, Turn left and start walking. Give yourself to me, and better her chances of surviving.”
Tim could see her cruel smile in his mind, practically hear it through the phone. Closing his eyes he forced himself to rid the image, and think of something else. Lucy was in that tank, the water was rising. But even through her own fear, Lucy had still managed that ridiculous little half smile. The choice was clear. It would always be Lucy. So he turned to his left and began to walk. “Where am I going?” he demanded.
“Excellent choice. Blue station wagon. But before you get in, strip down for me. Ditch your bodycam, badge, radio, and weapons.”
“Yeah, I’m not going to leave my gun where a civilian can find it.”
“Okay, no problem. Officer Chen is going to die then in Five, Four, Three, T-”
“Alright! Alright. I’ll do it.”
“That was the only time you’re going to test me."
Tim ripped the bodycam and badge from his chest, as he tried to stifle his yell of frustration. He crossed the street in long, angry strides, to a row of trash bins, and shoved his gear in. First carefully removing the clips from his firearms so nobody would pick up loaded weapons. He dropped the radio last.
He stomped over to the station wagon and got in slamming the door. And when he spoke, it was with every ounce of conviction he could summon. “I've done what you asked, and now it's time for you to listen to me. You may have escaped the clutches of the LAPD, but if you hurt Lucy, I will personally put you back in a cell, and I will take great pleasure in doing it.”
“Now, now, no need to be feisty. Although… I've always admired your fierceness.” Tim heard her suck her teeth through the phone. “It seems Mr Creepy Bear has escaped your notice. So here is how things are going to go. In three.. two.. one…” her voice started coming through a secondary phone mounted to the dash. “There we go. Now say hello to your new friend, and throw your phone out the window. Start driving, I’ll tell you when to turn.”
Tim turned over the engine and began to drive without argument. He obeyed the turns she ordered, each time feeling his control slip. After the second turn Rosalind’s voice softened, “I’m impressed that you haven’t tried to argue with me again. As a reward, I’m giving you a little gift. There's an app on the phone. Open it.”
Tim stabbed at the phone, opening the only app available. Live footage filled the screen. Lucy, now treading water in the tank. He white knuckled the steering wheel, and ground his teeth so hard it hurt, but refused to give Rosalind the satisfaction of a reaction other than that.
“Oh come on, play the game with me Timothy.” Rosalind coaxed. “I don’t even get a thank you?”
Tim rolled his eyes, and replied coldly. “I’m not going to thank you for putting someone I care about in danger.”
“Oh, so you admit you care about her then hmm?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Is that what you’re angling for? Fine. Yes, I care about Officer Chen. She was my boot, my aide. Yes. I care.”
Rosalind hummed. “It’s sweet that you pretend that’s as far as your affection goes. Turn left up here.”
Tim drove further and further out of town, his eyes darting every now and then to check on Lucy. He could feel sweat forming down his spine from his anxiety. Finally he had to ask the one question that burned at him. “Why her?”
Rosalind chuckled, amused. “Oh, it’s simple. She was the one that got away. A feeling I suspect you are all too familiar with. Tell me, is it hard seeing her go home to the lawyer boyfriend every day? Knowing that it’s his hands, and not yours that get to touch her every night?”
Tim let out a breath he didn’t mean to, rolling his shoulders to force himself steady. “I go home with someone else too.”
“Ah, yes.. the lifeguard,” Rosalind said, dismissive and hungry all at once. “You should thank me, really.”
“For what?” Tim asked, He might as well play along as long as he was driving.
“Because it was supposed to be you. The lawyer boyfriend was fun and all, but it was never supposed to be him. I had it all planned out. Kill the girl, take the jeep, a blonde wig.. you would never have noticed it was me until it was too late.” She sighed dramatically. “But then you and Lucy decided to get out of town. So naturally plans had to change, can you imagine if she had come home to you on her couch instead of him? That would have been… delicious.”
Tim didn’t respond. Refused to confirm the truth she was putting in front of him. Hating that a serial killer saw what he’d been ignoring for so long. Things with Lucy were never just professional.
“Okay, one last turn. Here we are.”
At the top of a short stone stairway she waited, looking absurdly elegant in a long, glittering dress,a wineglass in one hand, a pistol in the other. She smiled as he got out of the car, and greeted him the same way you’d greet a houseguest.
“Hello, Timothy,” she crooned. “LA traffic is dreadful, isn’t it? I was afraid our meal would get cold.” She turned, glancing back over her shoulder. “Come now, don’t keep your hostess waiting.”
She led him through a set of french doors with gossamer curtains. “I thought we could dine here tonight, let the breeze serenade us.”
The room was elegantly displayed with tasteful furniture. In the middle was a table set for two, and behind it was a large TV with the live feed of Lucy.
Tim’s instincts told him to never take his eyes off Rosalind, but his fear for Lucy told him to watch her instead.
“Alright, I'm here.” He said flatly. “Time to let her go.”
Rosalind waved a hand in dismissal, and sat at the table with her back to the TV. “There will be plenty of time for that, for now, you’re underdressed.” She nodded toward a privacy screen tucked into a corner. “There's a suit for you, go change. I had to guess on the inseam, so I apologize if it's a little… tight.” She smirked as she let her eyes trail down his body.
Tim planted his feet and refused to move, staring her down.
Rosalind sighed, and reached to tap on a phone that he previously hadn't seen. She looked over her shoulder at the TV, prompting him to do the same.
He was just in time to see Lucy duck beneath the water as a small explosion raged through the space left in the tank.
Tim inhaled sharply and took a step back before he could stop himself.
Rosalind watched his reaction with amusement. “Potassium amide,” she said casually. “innocent enough until it touches water, then it goes boom. That was just a sample, there’s enough in there to blow the whole tank. Now go change.”
With a final glare Tim turned and rushed through dressing, stomping back to the table he harshly pulled out the remaining chair and sat down. “So what now.” he snapped, patience wearing thin. “We eat what is probably poisoned food, my plate anyway, all the while you watch me squirm as she suffers?”
Rosalind laughed coldly. “Oh my dear Timothy, if I wanted you dead, you would be already.”
Tim pushed back his chair and stood, slamming both hands flat on the table as he yelled his frustrations. “Then what! You have me, so let her go Rosalind. I’m done playing your game.”
Rosalind sat back in her chair taking a slow sip of her wine. “Fair enough. You’ve been a good sport, I respect that. I’ll tell you the way this ends.”
She leaned forward and pushed the gun to the middle of the table, clasping her hands beneath her chin. “There's no future for me on the outside. I'm too famous. The world has gotten too small. I'll get caught, and I'm not going back to prison. So that leaves me with one question. What is my legacy? My victims, of course. My acolytes. And… her. The one who got away.”
Tim didn’t speak, didn’t move muscle, just stared at her coldly. Letting her speak.
“And then of course, there’s you. The Fierce Protector. I saw it when we all took that walk up the mountain. The way you move. It’s perfectly in sync. You move, she moves. She moves, you move. You two are everything to each other. And I’m willing to bet there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to save her life.” She looked pointedly at the gun.
Tim followed her eyes, grasping her meaning. “So what. I kill you, preserve your legacy, and the water stops, the tank unlocks?”
“Oh my dear boy no. I couldn’t stop what’s happening even if I wanted to, only make things worse. No. I have a friend, he helped me set all this up, he’s watching us right now.” She glanced at a camera in a corner of the room. “Once he sees you murder me in cold blood, he’ll turn off the water, and unlock the tank.”
Tim ground his teeth as he considered. “You want me to kill you. Here. Now. Taint my reputation, all so you can go out with your twisted sense of dignity and honor. And I’m supposed to blindly trust that your newest acolyte will keep his word?”
Rosalind tilted her head and relaxed into her chair once more. “Yes.”
They stared at each other.
“Tick tock, Officer Bradford,” she said, honey and sweet. “It’s me or her, and she’s running out of time. Make your choice.”
Tim looked at the feed once more, Lucy was getting tired, he could tell. Flicking his eyes back to Rosalind he felt something old and primal rise up in him. He picked up the gun, and took aim. “You’re right Rosalind. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do.”
BANG