5x13: Daddy Cop

***

Tim was sitting as his desk when Grey walked over. "Hey. DA's office just thanked me for a 14% decrease in officer no-shows in court. Not bad for one week." Grey compliments.

"Well, instead of putting the court notices in the officer's box, I serve it to them directly, that way they can't say they didn't get it." Tim said.

"That's great, but isn't that a lot of work?" Grey asked.

"What else do I have going on?" Tim deadpanned.

"Well..." Grey was saying.

Tim grabbed the last court notice. "Oh, down to my last one." He showed it to Grey who raised an eyebrow.

"What, Smitty? He avoids court like a salad." Grey comments.

Smitty walked past. "Hey, Smitty." Tim said.

Smitty walked over. "Hey, it's "House Mouse" Bradford," Tim rolled his eyes. "How's court liaison treating you?" He asked.

"All good." Tim replied.

Tim handed the notice to Smitty, he looked at it. "Oh, sorry. No can do. That's my day off." Smitty tried handing it back to Tim.

"You don't like money?" Tim asked.

That gets Smitty's attention. "Yeah, I like money."

"You get OT the whole day, you know." Tim replied.

"It's not just comp time?" Smitty asked.

"No, you scroll down to the bottom of your time sheet and click "For Pay."" Tim explained.

Smitty looked at Grey. "20 years, no one told me that?" Smitty then looked at Tim. "Good looking out. I owe you a beer."

"Oh, no, no. No, it's all good." Tim said, shaking his head, he'd rather spend his nights with Hunter than at a bar with Smitty, even though Smitty and Hunter liked each other the older man still annoyed the hell out of Hunter.

"Good work. You made Smitty happy. Hey. Hang in there." Grey said before walking to the briefing room.

***

"Good morning," everyone goes silent. "Today's gonna be a tough one. Heat wave has maxed out the power grid. Expect more citywide rolling blackouts," Grey looks at Celina. "Officer Juarez, what's the acronym that best applies to heat waves?" He asked.

"Oh," Celina glances at Nolan who mouths 'CHEAP' but Celina doesn't see that. "Cheetah?" Celina looked at Grey. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm having a blackout of my own."

"See me after." Grey said, pointing at Nolan.

"Yes, sir," Nolan looks at Celina. ""Cheetah?" You know this." Nolan hissed at Celina.

Grey turns to the blackboard. "CHEAP," he writes the initials. ""C" -- Check the vulnerable. Check your partner. "H" -- Hydrate. "E" -- Eat light meals. "A" -- Avoid prolonged sun. "P" -- Pace yourself," Hunter glances over at Tim who was sitting at the desk, probably trying to find something to do before looking at Grey who was looking back at the group, she doesn't notice Tim glancing at her. "You can't do everything. Look, conserve your energy. Make smart choices. Heat equals more violence. Blackouts equals more theft. It's gonna be a busy day today, so pace yourself," suddenly the power shuts down and everyone looks around. "Don't worry. The city has laid out top dollar for a state-of-the-art generator, which should turn on right about...now," the power comes up. "Not everyone else is gonna be so lucky, so be safe out there. Everyone's 10-8." Everyone except Nolan filtered out the room.

***

Hunter walked over to Tim. "Hey," she placed a hand on Tim's chair and he turned around, looking surprised at her. "How's it going?" Hunter looked at the screen. "I see you have a lot to, uh, liaise." She comments.

Tim forced a smile. "And enjoying every minute of it."

"I thought we said we would never lie to each other." Hunter deadpanned at him, holding her to-go cup.

"That was a lie." Tim said.

"You're miserable." Hunter said frowning.

"No." Tim shook his head.

"Mm-hmm." Hunter said knowing that he was lying.

'No, it's not that bad. You know, nice people. Low stress," That's when Tim remembered something and turned to his desk. "Wait, wait. Um, that reminds me..." Tim handed Hunter a court order. "Next week."

"Thank you." Hunter said, taking it off of Tim.

"You're welcome. Be safe out there," Tim chuckled, he looked around and lowered his voice. "I'll see you at the end of shift." Hunter smiled and walked off.

***

Grant and Hunter were at a storage locker with the owner, Marty. "I noticed the smell this morning. You smell it?" Marty asked the two cops.

Grant nodded as did Hunter, who groaned. "Yeah."

"I-I figure an animal got in there and died. Could be a rat, but it's a big smell for a rat. Maybe a raccoon. Skunk. Mountain lion. You think a mountain lion got in there and died?" Marty suggested.

"Well, there's one way to find out. Can I see those lock cutters?" Hunter asked.

Marty looked at them. "Maybe I should cut it. I mean, if it's a mountain lion, you probably want to shoot it." Marty said.

"Well, I mean, if it's dead, I won't need to shoot it, right?" Hunter deadpanned.

"Oh, good point." Marty handed them over to Hunter.

Grant grabbed his radio. "Control, Seven-L-20. Lopez and I are at unit 15. Lopez is about to cut the lock to make entry." He said before placing it back on his duty belt.

Hunter cut the lock and opened the storage locker, being with a disgusting smell, the three of them walked in. "Whew. Ugh. That ain't good. Poor thing probably got trapped looking for food," Hunter and Grant walked over to the freezer and opened it, seeing a dead body. "That's not good." Marty said. Hunter and Grant shared a look.

Later, Nyla and some other cops had arrived. "Body was in a freezer. The power's been in and out for days. The surge must have finished the freezer off. Victim thawed in the heat. Manager called it in. The manager said the unit was rented by an RJ Cash." Hunter said.

"All right," Nyla grabbed her phone out. "RJ Cash, huh? Looks like him." Nyla said.

"Are y-- Are you identifying him?" Grant asked.

"Oh, not officially, but, yeah. Career criminal -- mostly nonviolent, but career scam artist. Loves to target the elderly -- or loved." Nyla said.

Grant looked over at a piano. "Lucy's uncle used to refinish pianos. And she's shown me photos so I can tell you right now that is worth a fortune." He said looking back at Hunter and Nyla.

"Mm. Yeah, I bet a lot of the stuff in here is." Nyla said.

"So, stolen?" Hunter asked.

"Or grifted. Uh, get as many serial numbers as you can and run them through RMS. Maybe we can track down some of his victims." Nyla said.

"You got it. You want to get some air?" Hunter asked the other two.

"Yeah, for sure. I stopped breathing three minutes ago. I'm about to pass out." Nyla, Grant and Hunter stepped out.

Hunter looked at Nyla. "Is there any chance we could get Tim in on this?" Hunter asked.

"He's Court Liaison. What does that have to do with this?" Nyla questioned.

Grant tensed up and looked at his partner. Hunter just scoffed. "Nothing. I'm just trying to find a way to keep him from losing his mind." She said.

"Is there no other position he can move into? Also, why'd he do it?" Nyla asked.

"No. Everything is at a standstill. I don't know, he just told me one night that he was moving to Court Liaison, I asked why he didn't tell me." Hunter said, lying.

Nyla narrowed her eyes at Hunter and searched her face and eyes for any signs of her lying and decided that she was telling the truth. "All right, well, then you're gonna have to shake things up -- create an opening. Like when a team needs a player, but they're up against a salary cap." Nyla said.

"Well, what does that mean?" Hunter asked, she'd never bothered learning what a 5-player trade was as she never needed to make on.

"It means you got to get creative. Find a weak link and start a five-player trade." Nyla explained.

Hunter stopped Nyla from walking on. "Whoa. Say more."

"All right, let's say that Tim wants to go to Vice. McNichols is already there, but everyone knows he wants Narcotics." Nyla walked off and Hunter watched her go.

Hunter turned to Grant with a grin. "Oh no, I know that smile you're planning something." Grant walked past Hunter not wanting to be dragged into her shenanigan's but knows he ultimately will because he (platonically) loves Hunter and will do anything to help her.

***

Hunter and Grant were in the bullpen talking. "Any luck with the serial numbers?" Grant asked.

"Yeah. I mean, I got over 100 items. About 30 victims." Hunter said.

"Nice work. And I found RJ's most recent employer, Beatrice O'Malley. I imagine some of the stolen property must be hers, so let's get her in here as well." Grant said.

"Yeah, you got it," that's when Hunter noticed Metro walking to the briefing room. "Oh, what's Metro doing here?" Hunter asked.

Grant looked up. "Uh, your sister caught a break on a ghost gun dealer. It's their case. They move as a pack. That's the alpha and her right hand, Kevin Hicks." Grant said, looking at Lieutenant Pine and Kevin Hicks.

"So I'm aware, I've been a cop longer than you," Grant gives her a look and the raven haired cop just shrugged. "Metro would be a good fit for Tim, hmm?" Hunter asked.

"It's a tough gig. The hours are brutal and you two have just found your footing," Hunter nods but she's gonna find a way for him to be moved even if it kills her. "Hicks looks dead on his feet. I know he's got triplets at home. His wife does publicity for the department." Grant said.

"I know but I mean, Hicks might be up for a transfer. A bit more family time. And if he left Metro, Tim could take his spot." Hunter said.

"You make it sound easy. Hicks would only leave for a comparable job, and there aren't that many. And if there were, they're filled. How do you create that opening?" Grant asked her.

"I don't know, like Nyla said, the five-player trade. What could go wrong?" Hunter asked, turning to her friend.

"A lot, for both you and Tim which you should know. If sergeants feel like they're being manipulated, then they will never trust you again which you also know," Hunter nodded. "And they talk. So the next time you need a favor, and you will, the answer will be no forever. So tread lightly." Grant warned her.

"I know but he's so bored and is going nuts, I can't be the reason for it." Hunter sighed.

"Who knows about you two?" Grant asked, looking at Tim's empty desk.

"Grey, you and Lexi, the others wondered why he changed but they knew not to question who they'd be given the deadliest glare." Hunter explained. "And so they didn't bother asking."

***

Tim walked over and looked into the breifing room with a frown wondering what Angela was doing with Metro not paying attention to Grey who was talking to Celina before he turned to Tim. "Do you need something?" Grey asked.

"I can help her." Tim said, tired of sitting around all day but if it meant staying with Hunter he'd do it until he retired.

"No, it's okay. I've got it." Celina said.

"No, you don't, Boot. I got a buddy at DWP Joint Response. I can give you his direct line, and I can help coordinate the React Teams." Tim said looking at Grey.

"Please do." Grey said before walking off.

"Come on, Boot. You want to learn how to do this or not?" Celina walked out with Tim.

***

Hunter poked her head into Hicks' office. "Hey, you're Hicks, right?" Hunter asked, walking in.

"Yeah. All right, what you need? Got an op about to jump off." Hicks said packing up.

"Oh, um, I heard you have triplets. That must be a lot of work." Hunter said.

Hicks laughed. "Yeah. Tougher than anything LAPD can throw at me." He said.

"Yeah, I bet. I imagine having kids must make you reevaluate your priorities." Hunter said.

"Yeah, wife's not too happy." Hicks comments.

"So, listen. Um, my roommate's girlfriend's roommate is an excellent babysitter, and she's always looking for work if you ever need someone." Hunter said, not sure how to broach him leaving Metro so that Tim can take his spot.

"Really?" Hick asked.

"Mm." Hunter nodded.

"You're Hunter Lopez," Hicks comments, Hunter raised an eyebrow in confusion wondering where he was going with this. "You're the UC for the op that we're running, your sister was offered the UC op, she passed it you."

"Of course she did." Hunter muttered. "Thanks." She said before leaving the office.

***

Hunter walked over to Angela in street clothes, she was wearing a dark green blouse and blue jeans with trainers. "You could've told me I was the UC." She huffed at her sister before nodding to Pine. "Nice to meet you, I'm also Detective Lopez." the two women shook hands.

"I've heard of you, you did some great cases with the NYPD, got yourself a golden ticket and moved back here. You're a hardcore Detective as well apparently." Pine said.

"That's me." Hunter turned to her sister. "What's the code word?" She asked, Angela whispered it to her.

That's when Aaron and Nolan walk up holding water for the three women. "Detectives, Lieutenant. They say it's gonna hit 100." Nolan said and Hunter took a bottle of water off of Aaron.

"Thanks," Angela turned to Pine and Hunter. "Nolan and Thorsen are the ones that made the original bust that gave us our tip."

"So I heard, well done gents." Hunter said before taking a gulp of water.

"Nice work." Pine said.

"Thank you. Right place at the right time." Nolan shrugged.

"I know you. You're the guy who got the golden ticket, right?" Pine asked.

"That's right, I did." Nolan said.

"Expected you to go Metro, but you took T.O. instead. Interesting move." Pine comments.

"I like teaching the kids. Matter of fact, my trainee is heading up the Command Post as we speak." Nolan explained.

"You don't say. Well, if you ever do consider Metro, give me a call. It's a tough test, but I will make sure you get a good tutor." Pine said.

"Thank you very much. Shall we?" Nolan asked.

"Listen up. Today's op is a UC gun buy-bust. I'm the UC. Targets are using a pharmacy as a front to sell ghost guns. Trouble sign is hands up, gun out, or running away. Bust sign is fingers through the hair. Hold sign is dropping the purse." Angela explained the signs that her sister could use.

"Metro Sergeants Shab and Watson have been working this case for months, but Detective Lopez here uncovered the code the gun sellers need to hear in order to sell weapons however she's handed the UC task over to her sister, Detective Lopez, who now has the code." Pine said and Hunter stepped forward although she and Angela didn't even look alike but it was good to show them which one she was.

"We weren't able to get close enough for our own visuals, but luckily, Metro was able to hack into the security cameras, so their cameras are now our eyes and ears." Angela said.

"Everybody sharp today. No fear, no regret, no mistakes, no excuses. "Metro" on three," Pine starts hitting her chest lightly, reminding Hunter of a gorilla but she'd never say that out loud except it was with one hand in a fist and not two nor did it look like Pine was gonna run at them on all fours but it still reminded Hunter of a gorilla and she snorts at the thought of Pine running on all fours, Angela gives her sister a look. "One, two, three." Pine said.

"Metro." The Metro team yelled in sync.

"Metro seems normal. You'll have a blast there." Aaron comments to Nolan.

"Oh, no, thanks." Nolan replied, Hunter laughed and then walked off.

***

Hunter walked into the pharmacy and felt her phone buzz with a text reading. "Eric Mills, A.K.A. "Knuckles" on her six. Hawaiian shirt, jeans. Unknown if armed."" Hunter glanced behind her.

Hunter walked over to the checkout. "Picking up?" Mitch asked.

"Dropping off. I have an issue that needs to "go away." My prescription's for Charcoal Cough Syrup." Hunter said.

"Sure. We've got that. Cash only."

"It's got to be untraceable." Hunter said.

Mills walked over and frowned at Hunter. "Wait, I know this chick. How do I know you?" He asked her.

"You don't know me, and you don't want to know me." Hunter warned.

Mills chuckled. "Yeah. I do." Mills grabbed his gun and Hunter managed to take it off him and hold it against his back. 

Hunter threw the handbag onto the ground knowing the rescue team would spot it and if the rescue team had someone like Nolan she knew they would burst in. "Look, I don't know who you think I am, but I ain't her. I am in a hurry. Now, either we have a deal or I can take my cash somewhere else." Hunter warned.

"All right, all right. Take it easy. What do you want?" Hunter let Mills go and he starts coughing.

"I need a .45, 15-round mag, and it has to be a ghost." Hunter said.

"1,000 bucks. Untraceable." Mitch placed the gun down and Hunter placed the money down and grabbed the gun.

"Thanks," Hunter picked her bag up and walked out, throwing Mills' gun on the ground. "Go get 'em." She said and the cops stormed the building.

"Go! Go!"

"Police!"

"Get down on the ground. Don't move!"

***

Tim walked over to Celina who was anxiously checking her phone. "Juarez, you want to tell me what's going on?"

"Yeah, well, I left word for the, uh, Watch Commander at Hollywood Division. I'm still waiting to hear back." Celina said.

"Okay, you can 10-22 all that. I'm more concerned about you."

"Okay, sir. I'm so sorry. I'm usually more focused." Celina said.

"You trying to reach someone?" Tim asked.

"My mom. She's barely left the house in years. She's a shut-in. She lives alone. Her power went off earlier, and she's not answering her phone. I'm just worried." Celina explained.

"Why didn't you say something? She needs a welfare check." Tim said.

"Yeah, I wanted to, but with the Command Post --" Celina was saying.

"Hey, remember CHEAP? C -- Check in. That is your job," Tim starts walking to Grey's office and turned to Celina. "Come on. I'll clear it with Grey." Celina followed him.

***

Celina and Tim arrived to Celina's moms house. "Sir, there's one thing I haven't told you. You know how I spent the day doing administrative work?" She asked as they walked through the gate.

"What about it?" Tim asked.

"Well, my mom sort of thinks that's what I do all day, every day. She doesn't know I go on patrol." Celina said.

"So you want me to lie for you?" Tim asked.

"Well, not lie, exactly. Just focus on the small portion of the truth and then exaggerate it."

"No." Tim deadpanned.

Celina and Tim walked into the house. "Celina." Karla, Celina's mother said.

"Mama, I've been calling you. You didn't pick up." Celina said to her mother.

"My phone died. No power to charge it."

"This is my boss, Sergeant Bradford. And this is my mom, Karla Juarez."

"Oh." Karla said, hugging her daughter.

"Okay, Mami, I'm the police now."

"You'll always be my baby." Karla said.

"God, it must be 100 degrees in here." Celina comments.

Karla sighed. "Reminds me of a sauna. It's good for your skin."

"Yeah, in 10-minute increments, not all day." Celina said.

Tim looks at Karla's paintings and hears the birds chirping. "You have birds?" He asked.

"Lorca y Neruda. They're my muses. I sell paintings of them online. It's how I pay my bills." Karla said.

"Okay, Mama, you can't stay here. You got to come with us to a cooling center." Celina said.

"What about the birds?" Karla asked.

"You can bring them." Tim said.

"I can't." Karla shakes her head.

"It's been years since she's left the house." Celina said to Tim.

"It's dangerous out there. I worry so."

"And I told you, you have nothing to worry about. I'm safe at the station." Celina said to her mother.

"That's right. Taking calls and gathering information." Tim said.

"Well, thank you for keeping my baby safe." Carla said to Tim.

"Of course, ma'am. Listen, I've got an apex generator in the back of the shop. Let me bring it in here and get the A/C up and running." Tim said.

"No, no, no, I don't want to be a bother." Carla said.

"Oh, it's not for you. It's for Lorca and Neruda. I'm sure they could use a little cooling off." Tim said, knowing exactly how to get through to her.

"Okay. For the birds." Carla agrees and Tim walks out.

***

Hunter breezed into Nolan's house where Lucy, Grant, Angela, Jack, Wesley, James, Nyla, Leah and Lexi already were with Nolan and Bailey. "Hunter. Sure, why not? Come on in." Nolan said sarcastically.

Oh, you look surprised. Wait, weren't you on the group text?

"No, no. I turn off my phone when --" Bailey gives Nolan a look.

"Vodka. Double," everyone gives her a surprised look.  "I need it. We have a big problem," Hunter said, she moved to sit on the couch as Nolan bought her a double Vodka without a mixer, it was just straight vodka. "Tim's stuck behind a desk all day and he's going nuts." Hunter said after drinking it in one gulp.

"Yeah why is that?" Angela asked, frowning.

"My question is, why are you do determined to get him out from the desk?" Nyla asked.

"Because she's the reason he's there." Lexi said, tired of the lying, Tim wasn't in Hunter's chain of command so she didn't get why they wanted to keep it secret. "Come on, why are you keeping it secret?" Lexi asked, Hunter shakes her head subtly. "Their dating." Lexi deadpanned.

Lexi was the only adult in the room who couldn't drink seeing as she was only twenty years old. Hunter glared at Lexi as Grant shifted uncomfortably while everyone just stared at Hunter. "So, you're finally dating? After years of all of us, hell our mother, hinting at it? You finally got your heads out of your asses and Lexi knows before me?" Angela asked.

"Actually Grant knew as well." Lexi added. Grant glares at her as all eyes turned to him.

"You can grill me later, right now we need to move Tim away from a desk job and back on the streets where he belongs." Hunter said.

Later, they'd grabbed a whiteboard and sticky notes writing the names of each person and each team on them. "I got it," Nolan moves some notes around. "Hicks leaves Metro, goes to IA. Remington moves to Motors. That means Watson gets into SWAT. Halsey comes over to Metro. There's still a spot for Tim."

"Remington's wife won't let her on a motorcycle, so that's a non-starter." Nyla said.

That's when Hunter moved forward and shifted some notes. "Okay, um, Fujii retires, hm? Halsey goes to Metro and Madison goes to Robbery. Hmm?" Hunter suggested.

"Primm will go to Vice?" Lucy said.

"No, they hate each other." Grant said.

Hunter moved forward again and moved another note around. "Okay. Um, Jones goes to SWAT."

"And Bob's your uncle." Angela said.

"Yes," Hunter stepped back and her smile fell. "Oh, no." She said.

"What?" Nyla asked.

"Well, the only way this works is if Fujii retires, and the only person who can convince her to do that is..." Hunter trailed off.

"Smitty." Nyla realised.

"Yeah." Hunter said.

That's when the doorbell rang and Nolan raced to answer. "Hey, Tim," Nolan said slightly louder than normal, the other rushed to clear the evidence away. "This is unexpected. What's your -- What is the -- What's the -- What are you -- What's up?" Nolan asked trying to act normal.

"Uh, I-I heard you had power. I was hoping you had the game on." Tim said.

"Yes. Yes. I mean, yes, we have power. The game is -- We can -- Come in. Come in." Nolan said.

Tim points at two cars parked outside. "But is that Hunter and Lexi's cars?" He asked.

Nolan peered over. "Uh, yes," Nolan moved out the way. "Come on in," Nolan and Tim walked into the living room where all the adults are sitting on the couch drinking their drinks, Lexi with a coke. "Hey, guys, look who it is."

"It's a party. What's going on?" Tim asked.

"Nothing. Just enjoying the A/C." Angela said.

"You okay?" Tim asked Hunter while Bailey and Angela shared a smile.

"Yeah. Couldn't be better," Tim narrows his eyes but sits beside Hunter and puts the game on, distracting Lexi as well, Hunter turned to Tim, she lowered her voice. "Don't freak out, but they all know, Lexi told them," Tim's eyes widened. "I know, so if my mom starts blowing up your phone with my brothers because Angela told them blame the red head." Hunter and Tim turned back to the game.

***

The next day Hunter walked into the breakroom. "Lopez." Smitty said, his mouth full of food.

'Smitty." Hunter said.

Smitty swallows his food and offers some to Hunter. "Want some?"

"Uh, no, I'm good. But I -- I could use a favor."

"A favor? Hmm. That would mean you'd owe me."

"Technically."

"Lay it on me."

"You went to the academy with Lauren Fujii." Hunter said.

"I did."

"Well, she needs to retire, and I need you to talk her into it." Hunter deadpanned.

Smitty goes through the people in his head. "Hmm. If Lauren Fujii retires, Watson goes to Vice, Primm goes to Motors, Hicks could move over, and Tim takes the open spot in Metro." He said looking at Hunter.

Hunter's jaw dropped. "How...?"

"I'm smarter than people think." Smitty said.

"Uh... Yeah. Smitty, you got to do it. I mean, if not for me, think of Tim." Hunter said.

"Tempting and you are my favourite Detective, but Fujii and I had a bit of a falling out." Smitty replied.

"Oh. I'm afraid to ask why." Hunter said.

"Let's just say it had something to do with salsa night."

"Okay, okay. Well, um... here's how you can make up for whatever you did. Her family lives in San Jose, and A-I Meta Network is looking to hire a new head of security. They're paying 400 grand a year. You would be her hero if you brought her this job." Hunter explained.

"400 G's? Maybe I'll take it." Smitty mused.

"Oh. You would be great, but that doesn't really help me out. And also, Smitty, it's a lot of work." Hunter said knowing Smitty hates hard work.

"Pass."

"Yeah." Hunter said.

"But if I talk to her, you got to do me a favor." Smitty said.

"Mm-hmm. Nothing weird." Hunter agreed.

"Nothing weird. Promise." Smitty said.

"Deal." Hunter said.

"Deal." Smitty said.

"Thank you." Hunter walked out.

***

It was nighttime and end of shift, Hunter was in the bullpen when Tim walked over to her looking excited. "Hey."

"Hey."

"I just heard Lauren Fujii is retiring." Tim said to her.

"Really? That's surprising." Hunter comments.

"Yeah, apparently she got some great gig up in San Jose paying her a ton of money." Tim said.

"Wow. Good for her." Hunter said smiling.

"With her out, Watson moves over to Vice, Primm winds up in Motors, and Hicks takes his place." Tim said.

"I don't know how you keep all that straight." Hunter said, lying through her teeth.

"Don't you get it? It means there's an opening in Metro. Well, at least there was. Lieutenant Pine just called me 15 minutes ago, and I'm going over." Tim said.

"That's great. Congratulations." Hunter said, smiling.

"Thanks. Grey gave me a rock-star review." Tim said.

"Yeah, well, he should. You're amazing." Hunter said, she looked at him, wondering if she should just tell him but decided against it.

"I'm excited. I'm excited," Hunter laughs at his excitability, nothing had ever gotten Tim this excited since his wedding to Isabel and fostering and adopting Lexi. "Let's go to dinner tonight and celebrate."

"T-- Tonight, I can't. I'm sorry. I really, really want to, but I can't. I promised my friend that I would help him with something. Tomorrow night." Hunter promised him.

"Hm? Okay." Tim agreed.

"Okay. Sure." Hunter said.

"Do you need any help?" Tim asked.

"No, no. It's something I got to do on my own. But tomorrow night, it is a date. We are gonna celebrate you. Congratulations. They're really lucky to have you." Hunter said.

"Thank you." Tim said placing a hand on Hunter's arm.

Hunter laughed. "Okay. I got to go. Good job," she turned around before turning back to Tim. "Has my mom blown your phone up yet?" She asked.

"Uh yeah, twenty missed calls in two hours." Tim replied.

"Like I said, blame the red head." Hunter said before walking out, Tim watched her go with a smile.

***

Hunter had managed to get herself roped into cleaning Smitty's trailer, she ended up needing a hazmat suit to do it which made her question why she'd agreed to do Smitty a favour in the first place.

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I liked Mad-Dog, hated him at first but he got better, wish he appeared more than twice though.

At the end of the next episode Lexi will have moved out.

Hope you enjoy.