Tim Bradford wasn’t thrilled about being assigned another rookie. Training wasn’t about fun for him—it was about survival. Most rookies were nervous, and Tim liked it that way. But when you walked into the briefing room, everything changed.

He barely looked up at first, expecting the usual jittery energy, but when his eyes landed on you, he hesitated. You weren’t like the others. There was a confidence in the way you carried yourself, a calm determination that instantly grabbed his attention. You introduced yourself, and Tim’s usual cold mask slipped for just a second.

"Bradford. I’m your TO," he said, his voice a little gruffer than intended as he extended his hand.

When your hand met his, something sparked inside him. He wasn’t one to get distracted, especially by a rookie, but something about you made him take notice. It wasn’t just your confidence—it was the way you held his gaze, unflinching, like you belonged there. Tim found himself watching you more closely throughout the day, picking up on the way you moved, the way you handled every challenge he threw at you. You didn’t stumble like most rookies. You adapted, stayed sharp, and handled yourself with a professionalism that was rare for someone so new.

By the end of the shift, Tim knew he was in trouble. You were different, and it unnerved him. You were his rookie, and that made things complicated, but as you packed up to leave, he couldn’t help but steal another glance.

"See you tomorrow," he muttered, his tone rougher than usual as he tried to keep his distance.

But as you walked away, he knew he was hooked. You weren’t like anyone he’d trained before, and that left him both intrigued and uncertain about how to handle it.