Chapter One (Jessica)
"The person you marry is not the person you divorce..." - Unknown
She was standing at the counter beside the stove absently dunking a tea bag slowly up and down in a mug of boiling water when Wyatt, still wearing his old-timey clothes (the team called them 'costumes,' Jiya had kindly told her), walked into the kitchen area and sat at one of the tables. As he silently regarded her with what might be interpreted as hope shining from those killer blue eyes, it occurred to Jessica that any forward movement in their relationship was strictly on her. Wyatt had already made his feelings and intentions clear.
After all, like most men, her husband had his pride (although to her chagrin, at times over the years, it seemed as if Wyatt Logan had pride enough for two men). She knew he loved her–even during particularly difficult times while they were together, like the long, lonely separations when his squad was deployed, the drinking, the other women–Jessica Logan was always sure her husband loved her. That had never been in question. Of course, she was no longer the naive girl from a hick town in West Texas who believed that love alone was enough to sustain a healthy, loving marriage.
She had to admit, though, to be fair, this version of Wyatt Logan ("New Wyatt?" Jessica mused idly) was already proving to be different, possibly better, in some ways than the man she loved and married ten years ago. And in this instance, whether or not he was her Wyatt was besides the point, because she instinctively knew he wouldn't ask her again. Begging was just not his style, never had been.
Carefully setting her drink on the table, she dropped into a chair across from him. He sat quietly as she contemplated her mug of tea. Despite acting impulsively at times and possessing a hot temper, Wyatt could be surprisingly patient when he wanted to be, and in this particular instance, with both their futures on the line, Jessica was grateful for small mercies. Lost in her thoughts, she was startled when his warm hand covered hers. "Jess, I think your tea's gone cold," he teased, and she actually blushed at the amused glint in his eyes, the obvious affection, and yes, love, she saw reflected in his expression.
Directing an endearing grin at her (God, she never got tired of those dimples), Wyatt stood, and picking up her mug, set it in the sink before holding out his hand. "C'mon, I don't think we need an audience," he coaxed, as right on cue, Rufus and Jiya came around the corner hand in hand and headed over to the television area, both giving her a casual wave before cuddling up together to watch a movie.
Turning back to Wyatt, Jessica nodded and allowed him to take her hand and lead her back to their room (more like an oversized closet, actually). Once he shut and locked the door, Wyatt perched on the side of a cot with his arms folded across his chest and looked up at her expectantly. Wanting to see his face while they talked, she chose to sit on the cot opposite him before taking a deep breath (you can do this, Jessica, it's the only way to be sure).
"I've been doing a lot of thinking since last night, and I want to ask you something, okay?" At his hesitant nod, Jessica cleared her throat, a little dismayed at the faint tremor she heard in her voice. "In that hospital room, when that crazy red-haired woman was holding a knife to Lucy's throat, why didn't you take the shot? I mean, Lucy herself was telling you to do it."
Because Jessica knew Wyatt well and for so long, she immediately noticed, but for the moment chose to ignore, the way his jaw tightened at the mention of Lucy's name. Even as he frowned and opened his mouth to respond, she held her palms up and asked that he hear her out. She smiled inwardly at his reluctant nod, because that was also so him, and very familiar to her.
"Wyatt, unless this version of you really sucks at being a soldier, you've always been an excellent shot, steady, calm, almost emotionless," And at the fleeting-blink and you'd miss it-look of guilt that flashed across his face, Jessica had her answer. Pushing down a rather sharp pang at the not unexpected realization, she shook her head and said, "Never mind, that was probably an unfair question. I'm not trying to string you along about the divorce, I swear I'm not. It's just...this whole time travel thing has been a lot to process, you know, and also, I have to admit, the idea of being murdered in another time line is sort of messing with my head. But on top of that, since I got here, I guess I've been comparing this you with the you that I was married to, if that makes sense?" She felt better at his wary nod of understanding.
"Alright, no more stalling. I think I've made my decision, but before I tell you, you should know that while you were doing your Harry Houdini trick with the paper clip Lucy sneaked into your hand, and she and I were waiting out front, we sort of fell into a conversation about you and me." Now there was no mistaking the uneasy expression on Wyatt's face. Pushing on, Jessica clenched her hands together tightly and tried to keep her voice as calm as possible.
"Truthfully, after what I witnessed in that hospital room last night between you and Lucy, I decided it would be better for all of us if I just walked away, signed the divorce papers, and let you go," and when Wyatt stood abruptly with an anguished look on his face, Jessica took his hand and soothed, "Just hear me out, okay?"
Once a mollified Wyatt sat back down, she related everything Lucy told her, carefully searching her husband's face for any visible reaction, starting with Lucy's insistence that Wyatt loved his wife and had missed her every single day, risked losing his military career and going to prison just for a chance to get her back. She decided to omit that it was obvious, to Jessica at least, that Lucy was very much in love with him, and it was definitely in everyone's best interests if she kept the (unconfirmed) feeling that Wyatt had slept with Lucy to herself as well. (After all, he was here now, with her, wasn't he?) She tried in vain not to get emotional, but Lucy's earnest words had touched her heart in her fervent attempt to make Jessica see Wyatt the way she did, and she started to get choked up.
By the time Jessica was finished, she and Wyatt both were crying, and when he sat beside her and put his arms around her, it was impossible to stop the flood of tears that soaked Wyatt's sweater. He tenderly kissed the top of her head and to her surprise, whispered, "I'm not going to insult you by pretending that I don't have feelings for Lucy, because I do. She is my teammate, my best friend, and that part at least, isn't going away anytime soon. But you're my wife, Jess, and I love you and want to be your husband, if you'll just give me a chance to prove it to you," and when he tipped her chin up and sweetly kissed her, Jessica couldn't help the warm rush of affection that filled her heart. She'd been right after all.
This new Wyatt was a better man, who loved and wanted her, even if she suspected he also loved Lucy Preston. Jessica did allow herself a slight flicker of remorse for the other woman's feelings, after all, she not only talked her out of leaving Wyatt, Lucy had also tried to protect her from the crazy redhead at the hospital. She liked Lucy, and it was entirely possible in another life time, she and the teacher might have been friends.
Still, none of that mattered now. Her husband had chosen her and their future together over Lucy, and after the way her Wyatt had treated Jessica the past couple of years in spite of regular couples counseling, she was (perhaps selfishly) eager to experience being married to this version of Wyatt. Happier than she had been in a good long while, Jessica Logan was cautiously optimistic they just might make this work.
A/N: Before I forget, a gigantic shout out to the awesome qwertygal and angellwings, who patiently cheer me up when all this angst gets me down...thank you, my Timeless friends. Also, even though there's lots of speculation floating around the fandom that Jessica Logan might be Rittenhouse, for purposes of this story-she isn't. Next chapter is Wyatt's turn for some introspection. Hope you all enjoy.