As ABC gears up for The Rookie Season 8, the upcoming season of its beloved police procedural, one question continues to dominate fan conversations louder than any high-stakes case or cliffhanger ending: what’s next for Chenford? The slow-burn romance between Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford has evolved into one of the most emotionally grounded relationships on network television and the ABC procedural shows no signs of slowing that momentum.After a frustratingly long will-they-won't-they and a brutal breakup, Tim and Lucy started casually hooking up in the previous season, until that iconic scene from The Rookie Season 7 finale that broke many Chenford hearts. While Tim asked Lucy to move in with him, the latter was already asleep on the couch after a harrowing night shift as the newly promoted Sergeant.With their professional obstacles out of the way, the future looks bright for Chenford in The Rookie Season 8. However, in an interview with TV Guide, showrunner Alexi Hawley has offered tantalizing hints about how the next chapter will test and potentially redefine this fan-favorite duo, saying:''I think they still need to have the talk, the conversation. I don't want to rob them of that.''More on this in our story.Will The Rookie Season 8 feature a Chenford reunion? Showrunner Alexi Hawley shares exclusive details View this post on Instagram Instagram PostABC has unveiled its Tuesday night lineup for the coming year, which will kick start with Will Trent Season 4, the mid-season return of High Potential Season 2 and finally conclude with the Mid-Wilshire division in The Rookie Season 8. Now that John Nolan and the team are officially back, fans are awaiting Chenford's reunion.In an interview with TV Guide, Hawley revealed the real reason behind Chenford's break-up and their casual dynamic in Season 7. After a string of miscommunications, the issue with the chain of command and Lucy's night shift, Chenford might get together in The Rookie Season 8 but the path is still laden with many obstacles. Hawley said:"It felt like there needed to be a real journey for them to get back [together] — both him needing to do the work to understand why he blew up the best thing that ever happened to him, [which was] to punish himself, and her dealing with the pain of that [break-up], and then also wanting to focus on her career moving forward and ultimately trusting him again. So it felt like we needed to earn that.''However, Hawley assured fans their favorite ship will get back together in The Rookie Season 8, but after a solid conversation, which has never been 'their strong point as a couple'. He added:''I do think that they've been working their way back to each other. They've definitely turned a corner, and the professional obstacles are out of the way...I think we're almost there."The Rookie Season 8 trailer featured a hopeful Chenford tease View this post on Instagram Instagram PostWhile Tim's plans to ask Lucy to move in with him horribly failed in The Rookie Season 7 finale, our TO is not giving up on his love again. After a much-needed push from his best friend, Angela, and multiple therapy sessions, Tim is stronger than ever and has realized his shortcomings. While his decision to break up with Lucy left her heartbroken, he is ready to right that wrong and take the next step with her.The recently released The Rookie Season 8 trailer featured a hopeful tease for Chenford, where Tim finally asked Lucy to move in with him (and she was awake). However, Lucy replies:"You broke my heart. the scar is so deep it might never fade."As Hawley teased, Chenford's path to becoming a couple in The Rookie Season 8 will not be easy and Lucy's statement feels like an ominous warning for their fate. However, since Tim has finally taken the first step and expressed his true feelings out loud, the couple is certainly moving forward and there is still hope for Chenford.While Chenford fans desperately want them to get together in the upcoming season, they still need to have 'the talk' and solve lingering issues from the past seasons. Only then, Tim and Lucy might finally become a real couple in a true sense.Catch The Rookie Season 8 premiere on ABC on January 6.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.