A/N: This is a sequel to my story "Letting Go Is Hard To Do". It will help if you read that one first, but you should be able to follow along okay on this one, without reading Letting Go Is Hard To Do.
Lucy Preston stood alone in Benjamin Cahill's living room. It was just over a month ago now that this same man tried to kill her, and would have, if it had not been for Wyatt Logan. Wyatt had protected her, had taken the bullet for her and paid the ultimate price. Now, here she was standing in the killer's living room with a plastered on smile trying to act civil and nice. Everything in her wanted to smuggle a gun in here and kill the bastard now, but she knew she couldn't. That wouldn't bring Wyatt back.
After Wyatt's funeral, Lucy had made the decision to join Rittenhouse. It wasn't a decision she made by choice, but was necessary. Now, Cahill wouldn't have a reason to kill anyone else Lucy loved. Her family and friends would be safe once again. Perhaps, she could even discover the secret to ending Rittenhouse, for good.
"Here you go, Lucy. The hot tea you requested." Cahill said, coming in from the kitchen with a tray that held the tea and two tea cups along with honey and lemon.
"Thank you," Lucy smiled, strolling over to the coffee table to fix herself a cup of tea. "Tell me more about Rittenhouse, Father?" Lucy asked, picking up her tea cup and walking around the room, looking at photos and artifacts, "Who all are members?"
"Today, we have over two hundred key members all over the world, including the President of the United States, senators and congressmen, a few generals in the US Army, then some members don't hold such high positions, they are doctors, lawyers, judges, and some are just every day people, like you and me, Lucy." Cahill smiled.
"How does one become Rittenhouse?" She asked, "I met David Rittenhouse, he wasn't...as kind as you are." she choose her words carefully.
"In David's time, things were different. Rittenhouse was just getting started up and the world views were very different then they are today. People in general came a long way, as did we. David Rittenhouse was the founder and he had many followers. When he was killed, his son took off and was killed.. David's daughter, Jennifer Waters took over. His other daughter, Rebekah married a Cahill. Michael Cahill. They continued under their father's name and gained followers on a daily basis. There were members and there were followers. Anyone could be a follower, they only practiced the beliefs and laws of Rittenhouse and sometimes would carry out orders for Rittenhouse. To be a member, you had to be born into it, like you." Ben smiled.
"So, everyone named Cahill and Waters is Rittenhouse? What about Christopher Rittenhouse?" Lucy asked, picking up a picture and looking at it.
"Not quiet. A lot of Cahill and Waters is Rittenhouse, but a lot of our members have different last names due to marriage. Christopher Rittenhouse is a decedent of David's brother, James. We don't judge here, male or female you are a full member. It's not passed down only to the sons, it is passed down to the children and then whoever they marry and their children become Rittenhouse by birth. We keep the organization hidden until the children are old enough to understand the importance of such a thing."
"Where was this taken?" Lucy asked, looking at a picture, "Is this you?"
Cahill took the picture and looked at it with a smile, "That was one of our meeting of the members. We have a meeting every twenty five years. All the members come together to discuss topics important to us. This one was August 15, 1979 at Hearst Greek Theater in Berkeley. This was me in front of the Theater. Our last one was July 6, 2004 in New York. Our next one will be in 2029, a place and date will be set when the time gets closer."
"You said Rittenhouse did good, despite what Flynn has told me. What exactly does Rittenhouse do?"
"First and foremost, we protect our families." Ben stated, "Anyone born into Rittenhouse along with their spouses and children have ultimate protection. We have power and money to do whatever needs to be done. Our children get the best of education, the best houses to live in, the best of everything. We have the power to travel anywhere we want in the world. Second, we protect America and it's Citizens. People without our vast knowledge don't understand what is good for them, so we influence people and make those decisions for them, but they think they are still in control. They think they made their decisions." Cahill smiled, "We also donate a portion of our money to charities that are important to us." he added.
Lucy placed the picture back and offered him a small smile, "What will my role be?"
"Whatever you like it to be. You are my daughter. I love you. You have just as much power as I do, dear. You want something done you come to me and I will help you with the connections you need to get it done. Before too long, you will know your way around Rittenhouse and you will be able to make your own decisions and choose your own connections. I will keep you under my wing until you gain the full knowledge of our wonderful organization."
"Thank you," Lucy smiled, "Tell me, how did you and my mother meet?"
Cahill laughed, "I actually met her after our members meeting in Berkeley. We got done with our meeting and I was on my way to find some supper and I ran right into her. She had her arms loaded with books and spilled them on the ground. I picked them up for her and asked her to dinner. We became friendly, but I had to return home. We stayed in contact in a friendly manner, I offered to help pay off her student debt in 1983 when she hit hard times. She accepted and things went a little further then any of us really planned on. She wasn't ready for commitment, though she told me about you two months later. I gave her a sum of money to help get everything needed for you, I gave her money for your college before you were ever born. She didn't want me to be a part of your life, and I respected her wishes, though I always kept a eye on you, made sure you were okay. You after all, were my baby girl."
Cahill put a hand on her shoulder.
"Well, I always wanted my father to walk me down the aisle at my wedding...I am glad I finally know my true dad and I know who I am. Now, what are we going to about Flynn? If he's left to go on about this rampage, he could destroy our family! I am afraid of what he may have already done to us."
"Flynn needs to be dealt with and quickly. He is poisoning minds against Rittenhouse. If it takes killing his mother before he is born, then so be it. We need to preserve our family first and foremost."
"I don't know about these new people they got in at Mason. Do they really understand Flynn? I knew we were just starting too. I think he was actually starting to trust us. Now they have two new people. How is that working?" Lucy asked.
"Ah, not so well I am afraid. The solider is a lousy shot, either that or he is missing on purpose. The historian is more concerned about 'visiting' the time then actually focusing on the mission ahead. You, Lucy, you were good. I wish you would consider joining the team again."
"No...I am done with time travel. I don't want nothing else to do with it, period. However, I will consider consulting with Agent Christopher and this new team. Rufus knows me and trusts me. Maybe I can help get the other two's head in the game."
"I believe you might, if you are up to it." Cahill smiled, placing a hand on Lucy's shoulder, "I am very proud of the beautiful young woman you have grown into. You are a great addition to Rittenhouse."
"Thank you, father." Lucy smiled, "I hope to do my family proud." she held her head up. "I will see you later, dad. I think I will have a discussion with this Mason Industries team."
I I I
Lucy pulled her car into the cemetery and parked as close as she could to the grave, slowly she walked to the cold gray stone and sat on the ground, leaning against the headstone and breaking down in tears. Her mind drifted back to their last week together.
After Wyatt found out that it wouldn't be possible to get Jessica back, at least, not without erasing Lucy, he decided it was time to say good-bye to Jessica and move on. From that moment on, it was like her and Wyatt were inseparable. Benjamin Cahill had been hounding Lucy to join Rittenhouse and Rufus and Jiya almost lost their lives. It was a warning sent to Lucy. Her mother almost lost her life as well. Wyatt, he had tried to keep her safe, wanted to get her out of town but she refused to run. She wanted to fight Rittenhouse. Their last night together, Wyatt had rented a yacht for a romantic cruise on the bay.
To this day she still didn't know how they found out about the yacht and planted that bomb. As if that wasn't enough, just as they thought they had survived it, Cahill was there on his boat. The look on his face of pure enjoyment sent shivers down Lucy's spin. He gave her the choice, Rittenhouse or death. She refused to ever accept Rittenhouse. The rest seemed to be a blur. The gun firing, Wyatt shielding her body, and then she felt him go limp and sink below the surface. She tried desperately to pull him up. It was only a minute later before the police arrived. They were a minute too late. Cahill had done his damage and was long gone. She didn't dare ever tell the police the truth. Not if she wanted to keep her mother and friends safe.
"I am so sorry for all this Wyatt, and I know you probably are disappointed in me for joining my father, but I remember what you told me once, 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'. If I am a part of Rittenhouse like my father wants, then my mom, Rufus, Jiya, even Agent Christopher will be safe. He won't have any reason to target my friends anymore. Trust me, Wyatt...I will get you back and I will end Rittenhouse, for good."
She had been waiting and planning out her move. She had talked to her father and tried to gain as much information as possible. He didn't trust her at first. She knew he had her followed for the first couple weeks. Her house was being watched and her cell phone along with home phone and computer had a bug in them. He could listen to her every phone call, see what she was looking up on the computer, and even hear what was being said in her house. She knew this, thanks to a device Agent Christopher once gave her to check for bugs. Now, he seemed to trust her more after their friendly talk this morning. She was rather certain she didn't have someone following her any longer, but the bugs, she knew were still in place. Lucy stood, determined as she took out her cell phone and dialed a familiar number. It was time that she put her plan into motion.
"Agent Christopher," the lady answered.
"Denise...I need to talk to you." she stated slowly, her voice even and determined.
"Lucy? Lucy, are you okay?" Agent Denise Christopher was over joyed to her from her friend, but she wondered why she was calling. Was she in trouble? Last they talked was over a month ago at Wyatt's funeral when Lucy boldly stated she would join Rittenhouse.
"Yeah, I am okay. Now that I am a part of Rittenhouse, I just wanted to know what you guys are doing about Flynn? Is he still destroying America?"
Denise frowned, "Um, we have Rufus and a new solider along with a new historian on the job. He has traveled a few times, but we kept history intact. What is going on?"
Lucy was silent, "As my father's daughter, and former employee of Mason, don't you think I should meet this team of yours?"
"Um...well, if you wish to. Yes, we could bring you on as an adviser if you wish. You told me you were done with Mason..."
"I'll be stopping by to meet with them, shortly." Lucy barked.
"Who was THAT?" Mason asked sternly.
"Lucy. She wants to check in on our new team. She's concerned about her father's business."
"Hmm..." Mason nodded, turning and walking back to his office. He would monitor this new situation.
Denise had Rufus along with Jacob and Nancy, the new solider and historian were there and waiting when Lucy walked in forty five minutes later.
"Hey Lucy, how are you?" Rufus smiled.
"How's the missions going?" Lucy asked, "What have you found out about Flynn?"
Rufus looked puzzled, "Um, same as when we were a team. We manage to salvage history, but Flynn always gets away. This is Jacob, he worked with Wyatt in the Seals. And this is Nancy. She was actually one of your mother's students."
"Nice to meet you." Lucy nodded, sitting down next to Rufus. "Flynn is not only a danger to America, he is a danger to my family. Somehow, he has gotten the notation that my family is a danger. Perhaps, he has spoken to one of you about Rittenhouse, as he did with me. He tried to poison my mind into thinking Rittenhouse was some secret, evil organization. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Flynn wants to destroy my family, and I am not going to let that happen." she said firmly.
Rufus felt a hand on his leg and reached down as a piece of paper was shoved into his hand. He carefully slipped it into his pocket, his facial expression never changing.
"He has spoken of Rittenhouse to me," Jacob, the new soldier admitted, "He told me Rittenhouse killed his family, killed the last soldier. He also told me about you, how you worked with him before but you abandoned everything to join Rittenhouse, even though they killed the man you loved."
Lucy bit back her tears, "I failed to protect the man I loved. I don't know who killed him, but it wasn't Rittenhouse. Same as it wasn't Rittenhouse who killed Flynn's family. Flynn killed his family."
"Why does he have such a thing for Rittenhouse then?" Nancy asked, "If he killed his own family, why is he hell bent on killing those responsible?"
"It's his excuse." Lucy glared, "Excuse for a reason to kill and destroy America's history. Nothing more. It would be best if you have no more interactions with Flynn again." Lucy stood, "That will be all, good luck on your missions."
Rufus nodded and walked out of the room first, followed by the two new team members.
"Lucy..what was that all about?" Agent Christopher asked, her voice a mixture of hurt, confusion, and worry.
"Ask Rufus." Lucy whispered, turning and strolling out the door.
Mason was watching the scene unfold from his office window. Once Lucy was out of the building, he picked up the phone, "Lucy was here. I believe she is committed to Rittenhouse. She informed the team on how dangerous Flynn was and that anything he told them on Rittenhouse was a lie. She even denied you killing Wyatt."
"That's my girl. I knew she would come around to me." Benjamin Cahill smiled, "We keep the bugs in place though, we can lose the tail."
"Understood," Mason nodded.
"Rufus..." Agent Christopher was chasing him down the hall, "What the hell was that all about with Lucy? She said to ask you?"
Rufus looked around nervously, "I don't know, but, I am going to Moe's for lunch." he nodded towards the door and gave the agent a look as if to say 'Come with me."
Denise nodded and watched him go before returning to the control room.
"Are we free to go?" Jacob asked the agent soon as she returned.
"Yeah, go ahead. I am going out for lunch. We will call you if Flynn travels again. Until then, you are free."
She picked up her pocketbook, glanced around and eased her way out the door.
I I I
Rufus was sitting in a corner booth of Moe's when Denise walked in half an hour later. She spotted him quickly and slide into the booth across from him.
"So, what was up with Lucy?" she asked, anxious.
"Lucy slipped me this note. I didn't look at it until I got here." Rufus handed Denise the slip of paper.
I need your help. I only joined Rittenhouse to protect those I love. They had been following me, my phone is tapped. I need for us to team up with Flynn. You, me, Flynn take the mother ship. Agent Christopher could help us arrange the meeting. 1979 is another Rittenhouse meeting of all key members, including my father. I want to help Flynn kill them. Yes, I know the cost, but it will bring Wyatt back and will protect anyone else from getting involved with Rittenhouse. I will be at the Oakland Warehouse tomorrow night at 5pm. Try to get Flynn to be there too.
Rufus and Denise looked at each other, "Does she know that she will cease to exist?" Denise asked.
"Well, technically, she won't." Rufus pointed out. "If she is in 1979 when Rittenhouse is killed, including her father, she won't just vanish. She will still exist, even when she travels back to the present day, she will exist, but no one will know anything about her. There will be no records, no nothing."
Denise looked sad, "She will lose everything, her career, her mother, Wyatt will be alive but won't know her, I won't even know her." Denise said sadly.
"If we do this, we need to have a plan in place to help Lucy with identity, get her career back, a place to stay, everything. Flynn has at least some access to creating ID's. He's used them before." Rufus pointed out.
"Yeah, but we need to have her in the system. We need her SS Number and everything. We need to have all her credentials so she can go back to teaching or whatever she wants to do with them."
"Can you help with that?" Rufus asked.
"I could...but the problem will be it has to be done to the system AFTER she returns, and I won't know nothing about her. I don't even know if there will be a Mason Industries or if I will be here when she returns."
Rufus thought for a moment, "The mother ship has four seats. We take you with us?" he offered.
Denise thought about this for a moment and was filled with fear. If they were taking out Rittenhouse, it would have a major impact on the United States. Rittenhouse was everywhere though the government. What if she didn't work at Homeland Security anymore? What if she never met her wife or adopted the kids. What if she herself ceased to exist?
"Denise?" Rufus questioned, "What are we going to do?"
"I'll call Flynn and get the meeting set up. Let me think about the rest of it." she stated.
TBC...
