Always

At the beginning, Lucy looking into her old home, feeling sad saying goodbye.

- It is a smart career move. - So this has nothing to do with the promise of physical intimacy if I make sergeant?

SPOILERS!

Lucy Chen & Tim Bradford (Chenford) - (Melissa O'Neil and Eric Winter)

Fandom: The Rookie

Someone pointed out once (sorry, I can't remember who) that there is a clear difference between 'Lucy comforting Tim' hugs and 'Tim comforting Lucy' hugs.

I should've spoken up I should've proudly claimed That oh my head's to blame For all my heart's mistakes But oh, I'm staring at the mess I made

Everything I’ve dreamed of

There are two things to remember: healing and looking forward to it. Chenford might not be back, but they’re definitely back. (Emphasis on the lack of italics.) When we last saw them in the Season 6 finale, “Escape Plan,” things were tense in the elevator, but their love for one another wasn’t shaken. It still isn’t. It’s fully there, shining in both their eyes during almost every interaction in The Rookie Season 7, Episode 1, “The Shot.”

It’s especially present in Tim’s tone and his physicality—the slight ease from the crosses he carries. Tim’s the one who needed to heal. He’s the one who’s struggling with sharing his burdens, and the reason their breakup happened in the first place. And in order for Tim and Lucy to come together again, they need to heal. He needs to heal. They need to look forward to things and not fear them, which is essentially what’s happening in this episode. In many ways, we’re back to the beginning, starting over in a way that’ll help them two build an even stronger foundation to add to their history.