Work Text:
Lucy sat in her shop, rubbing her eyes as exhaustion settled into her bones. She still hadn’t adjusted to the brutal hours of the night shift. She absently glanced at her phone, hoping for a distraction.
A text lit up her screen.
Tim: Have a good shift x
A small smile tugged at her lips despite the weight pressing down on her. She and Tim still hadn’t found time to talk, not really. Their Wednesday plans had fallen through after she passed out on her couch. She’d woken up to a spotless kitchen, the food Tim had cooked packed neatly in containers in her fridge, and a note on the counter:
“It was good to see you.
Enjoy the food, and talk soon!
Tim x”
She’d felt terrible for falling asleep, but honestly, also slightly relieved. As much as she wanted to have that conversation with Tim, her three-hours-a-night sleep schedule barely left her with the energy to get through her shifts, let alone anything else.
Lucy: Thank you x
She slipped the phone back into her pocket, forcing herself to focus on the shift ahead.
***
Hours blurred together in a haze of routine calls and exhaustion until a burglary report jolted Lucy into action. Responding with Officers Ramirez and Carter, they managed to get the terrified homeowner to safety and take the two suspects into custody after a brief chase, by which time, it was nearly 4:00 a.m.
Once Lucy was back in her shop, it wasn't long before the radio crackled again.
***
Lucy woke to bright lights and the sound of muffled voices, her body feeling like it had been run over. An EMT leaned over her, shining a penlight into her eyes. The sharp beam made her flinch.
“Ma’am, can you hear me? What’s your name?”
She blinked, her head pounding, and the world swimming around her. “Lucy… Chen,” she croaked, her throat dry and rough.
“Alright, Lucy,” the EMT said, his voice calm and steady. “Can you tell me what day it is?”
She blinked again, trying to force her sluggish brain to cooperate. “Uh… Friday?” she guessed, her voice wavering.
The EMT nodded, his expression reassuring as he checked her pulse. “Do you know where you are?”
“Car crash… I was chasing… chasing someone,” Lucy murmured. Her words felt heavy and clumsy, like they were getting stuck on the way out.
As she shifted slightly, pain shot through her abdomen, sharp and unrelenting. She gasped, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach. That’s when she noticed it - the blood.
Her pants were soaked, the crimson spreading across her uniform. Her breath hitched, panic bubbling to the surface. “I’m bleeding,” she said, her voice shaky, the words barely audible.
The EMT’s calm professionalism didn’t waver as he turned to his partner. “We need to transport now. Possible internal injury,” he said firmly.
Lucy’s vision swam as they secured her on the stretcher, the world fading in and out. The jostling of the stretcher and the distant wail of the sirens blurred into a haze, but the EMT’s voice cut through, anchoring her.
“Stay with me, Lucy. You’re going to be okay.”
***
Lucy drifted in and out of consciousness, the rhythmic beeping of monitors pulling her back into awareness. When she finally opened her eyes, the harsh fluorescent lights of the emergency room ceiling greeted her. Every part of her body ached, her head pounding with a relentless throb.
A nurse stood by her side, adjusting the IV line in her arm. “You’re awake,” the nurse said, her tone kind but practical. “You’re in the ER at St. Stephens. You were in a car accident, but you’re stable now.”
The words washed over Lucy, taking a moment to sink in. Her mind felt sluggish, as though it was two steps behind her body. She blinked up at the nurse, her throat dry and scratchy. “How bad is it?”
“You’re lucky - a concussion, some bruising, but no broken bones,” the nurse explained. “The doctors are running tests to check for internal injuries.”
Lucy shifted slightly, and a sharp, cramping pain radiated through her abdomen. She let out a quiet groan, wincing as she moved.
“Try not to move too much,” the nurse said gently. “The doctor will be in soon.”
A few moments later, the door opened, and a woman in her late 40s stepped in, clipboard in hand. Her salt-and-pepper hair was pulled back neatly, and her calm but serious demeanour immediately commanded attention.
“Officer Chen, I’m Dr. Patel,” she said, moving to stand at Lucy’s bedside. Her tone was measured, the kind of voice that could soothe even the most panicked patient. “We’re going to take good care of you. Can you tell me what you’re feeling right now?”
Lucy swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus. “I’m… dizzy,” she croaked. “My head hurts… um, my abdomen hurts. I’m bleeding.”
Dr. Patel nodded, her expression neutral but attentive as she jotted a note on her clipboard. “Can you describe the pain for me?”
Lucy blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog in her head. “Um, it’s like… cramping,” she said finally. “Like my period, but it’s way worse.”
Dr. Patel glanced up from her notes, her voice softening slightly. “Do you know when your last period was?”
Lucy frowned, her mind struggling to keep up. “I… I can’t remember,” she admitted. “They’re not super regular.”
“That’s not unusual with your line of work,” Dr. Patel said, offering a brief, reassuring smile. “Okay, Lucy, I’m going to press on your abdomen to check for tenderness or any abnormalities. Let me know if anything feels uncomfortable.”
Lucy nodded weakly, inhaling slowly as she braced herself.
Dr. Patel’s hands were gentle but firm as she palpated different areas of Lucy’s abdomen. When her hands reached Lucy’s lower abdomen, a sharp pain shot through her, making her flinch.
“Yes,” Lucy gasped, her voice tight. “That hurts.”
Dr. Patel pulled her hands back, her expression calm but serious. “Alright. I know that was uncomfortable, but you’re doing really well,” she said. “Based on your symptoms, we’re going to run some tests, including an ultrasound and bloodwork, to figure out what’s going on. It could be internal bleeding or trauma to your reproductive organs.”
Lucy nodded silently, her pulse quickening as anxiety began to creep in. Her gaze dropped to the blood-soaked fabric of her pants, the sight making her stomach twist.
Once Lucy was alone, she peeled off her bloodied uniform, her hands trembling. Each movement sent a fresh wave of soreness through her body, and she winced as the fabric dragged against her skin. She kept her eyes carefully averted, but the metallic smell of blood was impossible to ignore.
The wipes left by the nurse were cool against her clammy skin, and she worked methodically, scrubbing away the dried blood. When she was done, she pulled on the disposable period underwear and slipped into the hospital gown. The loose fabric hung awkwardly on her frame, but it was a relief compared to the sticky, constricting uniform.
Lucy sank back onto the bed with a heavy sigh, her body sinking into the stiff mattress. She glanced at the clock on the wall - 5:30 a.m. Tim would be up by now, she thought absently. The thought of calling him flitted through her mind, but the idea of explaining everything felt like too much. She just wanted it all to be over.
Dr. Patel returned shortly after, pushing a portable ultrasound machine into the room. A nurse followed close behind, carrying a tray of neatly arranged supplies.
“Alright, Lucy,” Dr. Patel said, snapping on a pair of gloves. Her voice was calm but efficient, grounding Lucy in the moment. “We’re going to start with some bloodwork. We need to check your haemoglobin levels to see how much blood you’ve lost. We’ll also look for signs of internal organ damage or any other potential issues.”
Lucy nodded, her throat too dry to respond. She felt like she was floating just outside her body, the weight of the situation pressing down on her like a physical force.
The nurse worked quickly, tying a tourniquet around Lucy’s arm and swabbing the inside of her elbow. The pinch of the needle barely registered. Lucy’s focus was elsewhere, her mind spinning with questions she wasn’t ready to ask and answers she wasn’t ready to hear.
***
Tim clocked in, his eyes scanning the elevator lobby out of habit. He hoped to see Lucy as their shifts crossed over, but she was nowhere to be seen. He felt a pang of disappointment, figuring he must have just missed her.
He turned the corner and began heading towards the locker room, but before he could make it there, Grey’s voice stopped him.
“Bradford,” Grey called, his tone serious but not unkind. “Come here.”
Tim turned, catching the concerned look on Grey’s face, and his stomach dropped.
“What’s going on?” Tim asked.
Grey motioned him into his office, closing the door behind them. “Lucy was in a car accident toward the end of her shift today,” he said, his tone measured but serious.
Tim felt his heart drop, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
“She’s okay,” Grey added quickly, clearly reading the panic that flickered across Tim’s face. “They took her to the ER a few hours ago. From what the hospital told me, she has a concussion and possibly some internal injuries, but thankfully, nothing life-threatening. I thought you’d want to know.”
Tim exhaled sharply, the initial wave of fear subsiding but not disappearing entirely. “Can I go see her?” he asked, his voice steadier now but still edged with urgency.
He expected Grey to say no. After all, it was the start of his shift, and visiting Lucy wasn’t exactly protocol. They weren’t officially together, and he wasn’t her designated emergency contact. But to his surprise, Grey nodded immediately.
“Of course,” Grey said, his tone softening. “Send her my love.”
Tim paused, caught off guard by the genuine warmth in Grey’s voice. “I will,” he said, his voice low but sincere. “Thank you, Sir.”
Grey gave him a small nod. “Take care of her, Bradford.”
Tim didn’t need to be told twice.
***
Lucy lay back on the bed, her head pounding and her abdomen aching. The bleeding hadn’t slowed, and every shift of her body reminded her of the pad beneath her, growing heavier with each passing moment.
Her mind drifted in and out of the present, exhaustion tugging at her like a tide pulling her under. But the nurses had been firm—she needed to stay awake for at least two hours. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors filled the silence, and she focused on counting each one, desperate for something to anchor her.
She was lost in a haze, her thoughts half-formed and fleeting, when the sound of the door opening cut through the fog. Her gaze snapped toward it, and relief flooded her as Tim stepped inside.
His face was a mixture of worry and determination, his eyes locking on hers immediately.
“Hey,” Lucy said softly, her voice hoarse and uneven.
“Hey,” he replied, crossing the room in a few quick strides. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding her. His eyes scanned her face, taking in every detail, as if trying to assess the damage himself. “Grey told me what happened. How are you feeling?”
“Sore,” she admitted weakly. “Tired.”
Tim pulled the chair closer to her bed and sat down, his hand never leaving her shoulder. “Grey said you might have internal injuries?”
“Yeah, um…” Lucy’s words faltered, her thoughts sluggish. “They think… abdominal trauma. Still waiting for test results.”
She winced, her free hand brushing against her lower stomach. Talking felt like dragging herself through quicksand. Tim seemed to recognise this and didn't push for any more details, his expression softening. Instead, his thumb rubbed slow, calming circles on her shoulder, and his other hand came up to take hers. The warmth of his touch was steady, reassuring, like an anchor she didn’t realise she needed.
Lucy squeezed his hand weakly. “Thank you for coming,” she said quietly, her voice breaking slightly.
“Of course,” he replied, his voice low but firm. He squeezed her hand back, his grip warm and solid. “I’ll stay as long as you need.”
***
The door opened again a little while later, and Dr. Patel stepped into the room, holding a tablet in one hand. Her expression was calm but serious, her movements measured as she approached the bedside.
She paused briefly when she saw Tim sitting beside Lucy, his hand protectively over hers.
“Lucy,” Dr. Patel said gently, her tone professional yet kind. “I have your test results. Would you like me to discuss them now?”
Lucy stiffened slightly, her grip on Tim’s hand tightening. Her voice wavered as she replied, “Yeah.”
Dr. Patel’s eyes flicked to Tim, her expression unreadable but assessing. “Are you a relative? Significant other?”
Tim hesitated, his lips parting as if unsure what to say. “Um, I’m–”
“The latter,” Lucy finished for him. She didn’t miss the way Tim’s expression softened.
Dr. Patel nodded, her gaze softening as well. “Would you like him to stay, or would you prefer to speak privately?”
Lucy didn’t hesitate. “He can stay,” she said.
Dr. Patel pulled up a chair and sat down beside Lucy’s bed so she was at eye level. She leaned forward slightly, her hands resting in her lap.
“Lucy,” she began gently, “First, I want to reassure you that your condition is stable. The bleeding you’re experiencing isn’t due to damage to your organs or significant internal injuries.”
Lucy nodded, though her chest tightened. Something in Dr. Patel’s tone made her stomach twist.
“But I do have some difficult news,” Dr. Patel continued, her voice soft but deliberate, each word measured with care. “The bleeding and cramping you’ve been experiencing are the result of a miscarriage.”
The words hit Lucy like a physical blow, heavy and incomprehensible. For a moment, the room seemed to tilt, the air growing thick and unsteady around her. She froze, her breath catching in her chest as the weight of the statement began to sink in.
Beside her, Tim’s thumb, which had been tracing slow, steady circles on her hand, stilled.
“I was pregnant?” she choked out eventually, the words foreign and jagged on her tongue.
Dr. Patel nodded, her gaze steady and compassionate. “It appears you were around seven or eight weeks along. I’m so sorry, Lucy.”
Lucy blinked, her mind struggling to catch up. Her mouth felt dry, her stomach twisting violently.
“I… I didn’t even know,” she said, her voice cracking.
“That’s not uncommon in the early stages,” Dr. Patel explained gently. “Many people don’t realise they’re pregnant until later. Unfortunately, with the physical trauma from the car accident, it’s likely that your body wasn’t able to sustain the pregnancy as a result.”
Lucy swallowed hard, her thoughts swirling too fast to make sense of anything. It felt like she was slipping underwater, the world around her muted and distant.
Tim’s free hand moved to her shoulder, the weight of his touch grounding her just enough to keep her tethered. His grip was firm, steadying - but she didn’t miss the faint tremor. She kept her gaze fixed downward, afraid that meeting his eyes would shatter what little composure she had left.
Dr. Patel continued, her tone steady but compassionate. “The ultrasound shows that some fetal tissue hasn’t fully passed yet. This is why you’re still experiencing significant bleeding and cramping. Your body may pass the remaining tissue naturally in the next day or two, but we’ll monitor you closely to ensure there are no complications.”
She paused, giving Lucy a moment to absorb the information before continuing.
“If the tissue doesn’t pass on its own or if the bleeding worsens, we may need to perform a procedure called a dilation and curettage, or D&C. This is a routine procedure where we remove the remaining tissue to prevent infection or excessive bleeding.”
Lucy nodded numbly, her mind too overwhelmed to process the details.
“This can be a physically and emotionally difficult experience,” Dr. Patel said, her voice softening further. “But you’re not alone. I’ll prescribe pain medication to help with the cramping, and the nurses will give you clear instructions on what to watch for when you go home. If anything changes, or if you feel overwhelmed, please don’t hesitate to come back or call us.”
“Thank you,” Lucy whispered, her voice barely audible.
Dr. Patel stood and placed a comforting hand on Lucy’s shoulder. “I’ll check on you again in a little while. Take your time.”
The door clicked shut, and the silence in the room felt deafening. Lucy stared at the blanket covering her legs, her mind blank and her heart heavy.
“Lucy,” Tim said softly, his voice cutting through the quiet.
She turned to look at him slowly. The moment her eyes met his, the tears she hadn’t realised she’d been holding back spilt over.
“I don’t…” Her voice broke, and a choked sob escaped her lips.
Tim didn’t hesitate. He slid onto the bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.
Lucy buried her face in his chest, her body trembling as sobs wracked through her. She couldn’t name what she was feeling - grief, shock, confusion - it all blurred together.
Tim’s arms tightened around her, his chin resting gently on the top of her head. His hand moved to her back, rubbing slow, soothing circles. “I’ve got you,” he murmured into her hair, his voice low and steady, though his own breath hitched faintly.
She clung to him, the warmth of his embrace the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely. For now, she let herself break, knowing he would hold her together.