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The next morning, Lauren's eyes are bloodshot, her mind racing as she dresses for work. She hears Tim stirring in the bedroom, and she takes a deep breath to steady herself before heading out to meet him. They're riding together again, per Sgt. Grey's orders, and she knows she can't let on that anything's wrong. The weight of the night's events presses down on her shoulders like a leaden cloak.As they stand outside, getting their gear ready, Lauren can't help but feel like she's wearing a mask. The usual banter between them feels forced, the air charged with tension. She's aware of Tim's eyes on her, studying her every move, looking for any sign of distress. She tries to play it cool, forcing a smile, hoping he'll buy it."Sergeant Bradford," a voice says from behind them. Lauren's heart skips a beat as she and Tim turn around. There stands Genny, her face etched with happiness. Tim's eyes light up at the sight of his sister.They embrace tightly, and Lauren watches as Tim squeezes her in return, the warmth of their bond palpable even from a distance. "You look skinny," Genny says, her eyes scanning Tim's uniform. "Have you been eating?""Everyday." Tim says, his eyes glancing over to Lauren. "This is a restricted area, how did you get in here?" Tim asks, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of amusement."Oh, the guy who's handing out water, let me in," Genny says as she points over to Smitty, who is standing by the doors. Lauren tries not to laugh as she watches Tim shake his head and grab the water out of Genny's hands."Uhm, so what are you doing here?" Tim asks his sister, his voice a blend of surprise and warmth. Lauren watches the exchange from a few feet away, her heart rate slowly returning to normal as she takes in the sight of Tim's genuine smile. It's a stark contrast to the tension that had been coiled in her stomach just moments ago."I just wanted to see my big brother," Genny says, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she takes in the bustling precinct. Tim looks at her with a look that screams, 'liar'. Lauren tries to keep her face neutral, but the stress of the previous night is weighing heavily on her."Tim, you got engaged, had a baby, and you won't return any of my calls or messages," Genny says, her voice a mix of playfulness and accusation. Lauren's smile falters slightly as she watches Tim's expression shift, the warmth in his eyes fading to something more serious."Look, I know why you're here," Tim says, his tone firm. "And I've made my position very clear. Why don't we have dinner tonight and talk about it?" Lauren can see the tension in Tim's shoulders, the tightness around his eyes as he speaks. She knows this isn't just about catching up."Why, so you can just blow me off last minute?" Genny asks, her eyes narrowing playfully. Lauren can't help but smirk at the sibling dynamic playing out in front of her. It's clear that Tim's evasiveness has been a sore spot between them, and she wonders what exactly he's been avoiding. "Why don't I do one of those ride-along thingies?" Genny suggests, her voice filled with excitement. "Then we can take the whole day to catch up."Tim sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know, those take a long time to process, and I have to get approval and everything," he says, trying to steer her away from the idea. Lauren watches as Genny's expression falls slightly, a hint of disappointment crossing her features."Well, you are sergeant now," Lauren says with a smirk, stepping into the conversation. She winks at Tim. "You can just approve it yourself."Tim rolls his eyes, but Lauren can see the corners of his mouth twitching. "Fine," he says, relenting.As they drive through the streets of L.A., the city's pulse beating around them, Genny blurts out, "Let's talk about Dad." Lauren glances at Tim, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. She's aware of the minefield they're entering, Tim never really talked about his dad and Lauren knew better than to push.Tim remains silent for a moment, his eyes never leaving the road. "I have nothing to say," he says bluntly, his jaw clenched. Lauren can feel the tension in the car spike, the air thick with unspoken words and painful memories.As they keep driving, Tim finally breaks the silence, his question coming out of the blue. "Why did you order so many security cameras?" Lauren's heart skips a beat. She had hoped to keep her encounter with Jordan from him, at least until they were off duty. She fidgets in her seat, trying to come up with a believable excuse."Just thought we could use more security at the house," Lauren says, her eyes fixed on the passing cityscape outside the car window. She's acutely aware of Tim's gaze on her, his curiosity piqued by her sudden interest in home surveillance. Her mind races as she tries to come up with a plausible explanation for her unease."Did you guys hear about the guy that got released from prison after kidnapping an officer?" Genny asks, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. Lauren's stomach drops at the mention of the case. Her case.Tim's eyes dart to Lauren, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "What?" he repeats, his voice low. Lauren takes a deep breath, preparing herself for the inevitable."Yeah, Jordan Fields," Genny says again, her voice light as if discussing a celebrity sighting. Lauren's heart stops in her chest. She had hoped that Genny wouldn't know that name. She had hoped that Jordan's release would be a secret she could keep from Tim.Tim's eyes shoot over to Lauren, but before he can say anything, the radio on his belt crackles to life. "Control. 7-Adam-15. Code 3 traffic. We just got 246'd by a submachine gun. Suspect vehicle, silver sedan. Last seen headed west on Oakwood. Suspect still armed." Lauren's heart hammers in her chest as she looks at Tim, his expression a mix of concern and readiness. She knows that look, the one that says he's about to jump into action without a second thought for his own safety.

Without saying a word, Tim hits the lights and sirens, the car's engine roaring to life as they peel out of the precinct parking lot and onto the street. Lauren's heart races in sync with the pulsing lights reflecting off the buildings as they zoom by. She can't help but think of the last time they chased after a suspect with a gun, her own life on the line. But she shakes the thought away, focusing on the task at hand.They drive over to Nolan and Lopez's location, the sirens blaring in a cacophony that seems to bounce off every building and car they pass. "Control, 7-Adam-100 on scene." Tim says into his radio, his voice firm and focused.When they arrive, Tim's eyes scan the area, his hand on the gun at his side. Lauren can see the tension coiled in his shoulders as he takes in the chaos around them. "Genny, stay in the car," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. Lauren nods in agreement, her own hand on her weapon, ready to follow Tim into whatever awaits them.They find Nolan and Angela standing in the middle of the alley, panting heavily. Lauren's eyes scan them quickly, looking for any signs of injury. "Anyone hurt?" she calls out, her voice tight with concern.Angela shakes her head, her eyes scanning the area around them. "We're good, but we've got one shooter outstanding. Marvin Reynolds." Nolan looks around, "Suspect vehicle, silver sedan. I didn't get a good ID and I didn't get any plates."Tim nods, his mind already racing. "Alright, let's get back to the car. We need to pull DMV records and see what Marvin's got registered," he says, his voice calm but determined. Lauren can see the gears turning in his head as he processes the information. "On it." Lauren says as she turns around and heads back to the car to look up the information.Lauren slides into the passenger seat, her hand shaking slightly as she pulls out her phone. She types in Marvin Reynold's name into the LAPD database, her eyes scanning the results as they pop up. "Okay, he hasn't renewed any of his registrations in over four years," she says, her voice tight with urgency. "But I've got a list of everything he's owned going back to 2005." Lauren quickly skims through the information, her mind racing to find the silver sedan that matches the description."Looks like we've got a silver Civic and three other vehicles," Lauren says, reading off the paper. Tim nods, his eyes never leaving the alley's entrance. Lauren can feel the tension radiating off him, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to pounce. "Alright, send that to everyone's boxes. Make sure you keep checking." He says, his voice sharp and commanding."This is a very fluid situation," Tim says, his eyes scanning the alley, "Let's go get this guy before he does something worse." Lauren nods, her finger hovering over the screen as she sends out the information. The urgency in his voice is palpable, and she knows they don't have a moment to waste."What's going on?" Genny asks from the backseat; her voice filled with alarm as the car speeds off. Lauren glances back at her, her heart racing. She's not used to having a civilian in the middle of a dangerous situation like this.Tim's eyes are glued to the rearview mirror as he navigates the car through the tight alleyways. "I'm taking you back to the station. It's too dangerous." he says, his voice tight with tension. Lauren nods in understanding, but she can't ignore the gnawing feeling in her gut. She's been in situations like this before, but with Jordan's recent release, she feels like a target on her back."I'm not leaving until we talk about Dad," Genny says to Tim, her voice firm and unyielding. Lauren can see the pain and determination in her eyes, the same stubbornness that Tim shares with his sister."Oh, you are impossible," Tim scoffs, his eyes never leaving the mirror as he weaves the car through the darkened streets. Lauren's heart thumps in her chest, the weight of her secret about Jordan's release pressing down on her. She opens her mouth to speak but the words stick in her throat."I'm impossible? Lauren who's more difficult, me or Tim?" Genny asks, raising an eyebrow. She looks at Tim, his expression a mix of annoyance and amusement. "Well of course she's going to pick me.""Because you are the most stubborn person alive," Genny says, her voice filled with affectionate exasperation. Lauren feels a knot form in her stomach as the conversation takes an unexpected turn.Tim's gaze meets Lauren's in the mirror for a brief moment before returning to the road. "Okay, this is insane. We have an armed and dangerous suspect at large. We gotta focus," he says, his voice firm and unwavering. The laughter dies down immediately, replaced by a taut silence that fills the car. Lauren nods, swallowing the lump in her throat as she focuses on the task ahead."So Genny. Any other plans while you're in LA?" Lauren asks, trying to keep the conversation light and her mind off the looming danger of her ex-husband."Well, actually I do have one other thing. I have to sell Dad's house," Genny says, her voice heavy with the weight of her words. Lauren's eyes dart to Tim, who's grip tightens on the steering wheel. She can see the pain in his eyes, the memories of their father's house, filled with so much history, both good and bad. "He hasn't been able to live on his own for a while," Genny adds, her voice filled with a sadness that Lauren has never heard from her before."Oh, I'm so sorry," Lauren says, her voice filled with genuine empathy. She knows the pain of letting go of a family home, the feeling of a chapter closing forever."Yeah, it's a mess," Genny repeats, her eyes clouding over as she stares out the window. Lauren can see the reflection of the passing streetlights flickering in her eyes. "And it's a lot to do for just one person," she adds, her voice barely above a whisper."Well, I'm sure Tim will help," Lauren says, trying to ease the tension. She glances at Tim, who rolls his eyes. Lauren can feel the weight of his own emotions in the quiet of the car."What's the point?" Tim says, his voice gruff. "It's a teardown. Just sell it and be done with it." Lauren's heart clenches at the finality in his voice, but she knows better than to argue. The house holds too much pain for Tim, memories of their father that he's never quite been able to shake."It's got good bones," Genny insists, a spark in her voice. Laura glances at her, noticing the determination etched in her features. "We could make a little money if we put some effort into it." Lauren nods in agreement, seeing the potential in the project. It would be a good distraction for Tim, a way for him to focus on something positive amidst their current chaos.Tim snorts, his eyes on the road ahead. "You watch a couple hours of HGTV and now you're an expert?" he says, but Lauren can hear the affection in his tone. Genny laughs, a sound that lightens the mood in the car. "Maybe not an expert," she concedes, "But I know what I'm talking about. Besides, it's not like we can't get help. You guys have plenty of friends with skills.""Nolan, can you 10-3 to another channel?" Tim asks into his radio, interrupting the conversation. Lauren's eyes dart to the side, watching the trees in a blur. Nolan's voice crackles over the line, "Rodger that, moving to 6."The static subsides and Tim turns to Lauren, his expression a mix of resignation and dread. "Look, my sister needs to sell my dad's house," he says, his voice low. Lauren nods, her mind racing with the implications of the task ahead. "But it hasn't been updated or repaired since it was built in 1958," Tim adds, his eyes searching hers for understanding. "What are the inspections going to reveal?""Uh, 1958? It's probably got old cloth-insulated wiring that would need to be replaced," Nolan says over the radio, his voice crackling through the speakers."The plumbing would need an overhaul too, and let's not forget about the cast iron sewer pipes—they could be cracked or rusted through in places." Lauren nods along, her mind racing with the potential issues that could arise from selling a house that old. "And the foundations would need to be checked," he adds, as if reading her thoughts. "Could be some serious settling issues.""So, it's a teardown." Tim says, his voice echoing the finality of the decision. Lauren can feel the sadness in the car, a palpable presence that seems to hang in the air like fog."Oh no, not necessarily," Nolan says, his voice calm and reassuring over the radio. Lauren glances at Tim, whose annoyance is palpable. "If it has good bones, some simple repairs and updates would double the value of your house." Lauren looks at Tim, searching for any flicker of hope in his eyes, but she finds only a storm of frustration."I'm happy to swing by, take a look at it, and see what needs to be done," Nolan says over the radio, his voice cutting through the silence like a warm knife through butter.Nyla's voice crackles through the radio, pulling Lauren's attention back to the present. "Alright, you will all have to wait your turn. Nolan is busy helping me install my new kitchen backsplash." Lauren can't help but chuckle at the domestic scene playing out over the LAPD frequencies. It's a stark contrast to the high-stakes situation they're currently in."Oh right, yes, after that," Nolan responds, the sound of his voice snapping Lauren and Tim back to the urgent task at hand. Lauren grabs the radio from Tim, "Nolan, don't forget you have to help me set up the security cameras at my place too," she says with a hint of urgency."Hey Nolan, do you do pergolas?" Aaron's voice cuts through the radio static, a touch of humor in his tone that Lauren appreciates in the tension-filled car. "Because my outdoor space is really underused.""Uh yes, Lauren, I'll help you with the cameras," Nolan confirms over the radio, his voice filled with good-natured teasing. Lauren can't help but smile, despite the gravity of the situation. "And Aaron, landscaping's not really my area of expertise," he continues, "but I've built a gazebo or two in my day.""Hold on. We just got sent a location of one of Marvin Reynolds' vehicles. Looks like he's got an RV that's been collecting parking tickets on the 1600 block of Crenshaw. We're closest. We'll take it," Nyla says, her voice urgent and clear over the radio. Lauren's heart jumps at the mention of the RV; it's a solid lead, and she can feel the anticipation building in the car.Tim and Lauren keep driving, the tension in the car thick as they process Genny's words. Lauren's eyes are glued to the side mirror, as if expecting to see Jordan's face in every reflection. "It's a good house," Genny says, her voice filled with nostalgia. "I know it's old, but it has character. I want a family to live there and make happy memories." Tim's jaw clenches, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.Suddenly, Tim swerves the car and parks on the side of the road, the tires screeching against the pavement. "Hey, you okay?" Lauren asks, her voice filled with concern as she turns to look at him.Tim doesn't say a word, his gaze unwavering on the road ahead, as if the asphalt holds all the answers to their tangled family history. The silence is a living, breathing entity in the car, a palpable weight that Lauren feels pressing down on her chest. She knows this is a conversation Tim's been avoiding for years, one that's been festering beneath the surface, waiting to bubble over."Look, I know you don't feel the same way I do," Genny starts, her voice tentative, "but our childhood wasn't all bad." Lauren's eyes widen slightly in the mirror, surprised by the sudden turn in the conversation.Tim slams the car into park, the sudden jolt making Genny jump. "Stop. Alright." he snaps, the anger in his voice surprising Lauren. "Are you really getting nostalgic over that place? What do you want?" he asks, turning to face Genny. Lauren's eyes widen in the mirror, her heart racing."You want some other family to cuddle up under the broken plaster where Dad slammed my head against the wall?" Tim's voice is laced with anger and pain, the words cutting through the tension in the car like a knife. Lauren feels a chill run down her spine as she sees the raw emotion on Tim's face in the mirror, the way his jaw clenches and his eyes flash with something she's never seen before."Tim," Lauren says softly, reaching out to touch his arm. "It's okay." But Tim shakes her off, his focus still on Genny."You think it's that easy?" Tim's voice is tight, his eyes narrowed. "You think I can just ignore the fact that our father was a monster?" Lauren feels the tension in the car spike, the words hanging in the air like shrapnel."Tim," Lauren starts, but he holds up a hand to silence her."You know, the only thing that's changed about him is that the drinking caught up to him. He can't throw a punch anymore, but he's the same guy underneath," Tim says, his voice a low growl. Lauren feels the sadness in his words, the years of pain and anger that have been bottled up, waiting for this moment."You haven't visited him in hospice," Genny says, her voice soft, "You don't know." Lauren can see the hurt in Tim's eyes, the accusation stinging like a slap."Dad is dying." Genny says, her voice barely above a whisper.Tim doesn't say anything, his silence echoing louder than the slammed car door. He puts the car in drive and pulls away from the curb, the tires squealing as they grip the asphalt. Lauren glances at him, his jaw set and eyes fixed on the road ahead. She knows he's hurt, the words a dagger to his heart. But she also knows that Tim's anger is a shield, a protective barrier around his pain.The ringtone pierces the quiet, the sound of Tim's phone jolting Lauren out of her thoughts. "Bradford," Tim says into the phone, his voice tight. Lauren watches him in the mirror, his eyes narrowing as he listens to the voice on the other end. She can see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hand clenches around the phone.He hangs up the phone and doesn't say a word, the silence in the car thick with the unspoken. Lauren can feel the weight of the conversation pressing down on her chest, the words unsaid creating a barrier between them. Tim's knuckles are white on the steering wheel; his jaw set in a hard line as he stares straight ahead. The shift ends, Tim is changing in the locker room when Lauren approaches, her footsteps echoing off the cold concrete walls. She takes a deep breath before knocking lightly on the metal door. "Look, your sister needs you, Tim. I know you don't talk about your family much, and I know you got the worst of it from your father growing up." Lauren's voice is soft, but firm, the weight of her words carrying through the air.Tim pauses, his hand hovering over his shirt. He doesn't turn to face her, his back a wall of tension. "Lauren..." Tim starts to say but she cuts him off. "That's your sister," Lauren repeats, her voice firm but gentle. "And she's right here, trying to keep it together. We all have our demons, Tim. And I understand what you went through growing up. But she lived through it too. Instead of fighting, you guys should be supporting each other."Tim turns to look at Lauren, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and sadness. Lauren can see the struggle playing out on his face, the conflict between his past and his present. Without a word, he walks up to her, cups her face in his hands, and kisses her with a passion that surprises them both. It's a kiss filled with years of unspoken pain, with the fierce love that's grown between them. It's a declaration of need and a silent promise to be there for each other.When they break apart, Lauren's eyes are wet with tears, and she can see the same in Tim's. He takes a deep breath, and she knows that he's trying to compose himself. "Thank you," he murmurs, his voice hoarse with emotion. Lauren nods, her heart swelling with affection for this man who's become so much more than just her coworker."But." Tim says, his voice a rasp of unspoken anger and pain. Lauren's heart squeezes in her chest at the sight of him standing there, his shoulders heaving with the weight of their conversation. She can see the storm clouds in his eyes, the tumult of emotions fighting for dominance. "You are going to sit down right here and tell me the truth about what is happening with Jordan."Lauren swallows hard, the truth lodged in her throat like a piece of glass. She opens her mouth to speak, but the words won't come. Tim's grip on her shoulders tightens, his eyes searching hers, demanding the honesty he knows she's been withholding. "Tim, I..." Lauren starts, but the words die on her lips.Tim's eyes narrow, his jaw clenched. "Please, Lauren," he repeats, his voice a low rumble of pain and frustration. Lauren can feel the weight of his gaze, the unspoken accusation that she's been keeping secrets from him. "I need to know," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.So, Lauren does what any good fiancée does. She tells Tim the truth.

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KATE SPEAKS!you're favorite couple is back!🥹sorry i've been gone!i've been sick for the past week but i'll all better now!buttt back to the story..this is not the first secret that will be kept in the bookseason 5 is downfall so be ready!lots of tears, fights, breaks...maybe a divorce..............you guys are in for a rollercoaster!but to make up for all this information.lauren and tim's wedding day is coming up😊