Who are you Lucy Chen?

Part thirty four; finally

Closing the door behind her, the mirror reflected her weary expression, a weariness that went beyond physical exhaustion. She slowly undressed, wincing as she peeled off her clothes, revealing a torso marred with blue and purple bruises. Her shoulder bore fresh stitches, dried blood caked around the wound. She stepped into the shower, turning on the hot water. The steam filled the room, and the water cascaded over her body, bringing a fleeting sense of relief.

As the heat seeped into her aching muscles, the tears she had held back for so long began to flow freely. The water mixed with her tears, washing away the dirt and grime but not the pain and fear. This was the first moment she had allowed herself to feel human since the shooting. The weight of everything pressed down on her, and she leaned against the cool tiles, letting the sobs wrack her body. She thought about Mia, about the trial, about the possibility of losing everything she held dear. Eventually, the tears slowed, and she stood there, letting the water cleanse her physically and emotionally.

The pain was still there, but for now, she felt a small measure of peace. She turned off the water, wrapping herself in a towel and stepping out of the shower, throwing on a comfortable tracksuit, burying her head into the hood. Jackson looked up from his cooking, his eyes softening with empathy. "Feeling better?" he asked. Lucy nodded, a small but genuine smile forming on her lips. "Yeah, a bit actually. Thanks, Jackson." He returned her smile.

"Good. Dinner will be ready soon" Lucy sat down. *next day* After a quick breakfast and getting ready, Lucy was wearing the same suit but in a blue/greyish colour, the team gathered once again, "How are you feeling?" Tim asked and Lucy smiled "I can't move my torso, like at all, head is spinning all day and my gunshot wound aches every minute but I am totally fine" Lucy replied. Grey stepped in, a newspaper in his hand.

"Well, I don't think this is going to make your day any better," he said, handing it to her. Lucy frowned as she took the paper, and Jackson joined her in reading it. The rest of the team watched their body language. On the front page was a photo of Lucy in court, her muscles prominently displayed as she swiped some hair out of her face. The headline read: "Attractive Muscular Cop Stands Trial" Lucy's frown deepened as she read the article. The story seemed to focus more on her physical appearance and the drama of the trial rather than the facts of the case.

"Seriously?" she muttered, feeling a mix of frustration and disbelief. "I swear to god" Lucy sighed as she went through her hair "At least they chose a great photo?" Angela tried and Lucy smiled "yeah, well it's not so great for my career" Lucy replied "It's better than being called cruel because you smiled in court Lucy, trust me it won't be taken for granted" Andersen said "It not nice to see this but at least it's something positive, right?" She added and Lucy just threw the paper back on the table as they started preparing to head back to the courthouse. As they approached the courthouse, the swarm of reporters and photographers was even more intense than the previous day.

Cameras flashed, and questions were shouted as they made their way inside. Grey and Tim flanked Lucy protectively, ensuring she wasn't overwhelmed by the chaos. Once inside the courtroom, everyone took their seats, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Dougherty entered, and the room fell silent as the proceedings began. The gravity of the moment was palpable, with everyone present knowing that the day's decision would have profound implications. The judge took his seat and surveyed the courtroom, his expression serious. "Today," he began, his voice steady and authoritative, "I will make my decision on whether Officer Chen used reasonable force in her encounter with Mr. Howell. This case has been a matter of intense scrutiny and emotional weight for all involved. I ask for your patience and respect as we proceed." The tension in the room was thick, with every eye fixed on Judge Dougherty.

Lucy sat at the defence table, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt the weight of the trial bearing down on her, knowing that her future hinged on the judge's words. "Officer Chen," Dougherty continued, "please stand." Lucy rose to her feet, feeling the eyes of the courtroom on her. She tried to steady her breathing, focusing on the judge's face. "I have reviewed all the evidence presented," Dougherty said. "I have listened to the testimonies, watched the bodycam footage, and considered the arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. The question before us is whether Officer Chen's actions on the day in question were justified under the circumstances she faced."