Hey Guys! So this is just a fluffy two-shot because I am desperate for Lyatt until we figure out how season 2 is going to play out between them (I really don't like the Jessica storyline but I am willing to go along for the ride so long as Wyatt and Lucy end up together in the end). Hope you all enjoy and let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I own nothing obviously.
The bar was filled with the usual Friday night crowd, college boys trying to look cool with beer as they scooped the area for the cute girls. Guys hanging out together watching the game on the big screen, yelling obscenities at the refs for various calls, and date night couples playing pool. All of it swirling around with flirtatious energy. Lucy had to smile at the normalcy of it all. Every time she got out of the lifeboat she was terrified she was going to find herself in a present that was an upside-down dystopian hell.
"Hey Lucy, how's it going?"
Lucy looked up with a smile as she made herself comfortable on the bar stool, "Hey Jeff, not bad. How are the tips tonight?"
Jeff was the weekend bartender at McDaniel's, a tall good-looking guy, who had more fun and charm than brains, but kind-hearted who flirted easily with the ladies, no matter their age or looks and enough down-to-earth steadiness that made guys comfortable. Plus, he could make a Pineapple Margarita better than anyone Lucy had met.
Jeff shrugged with a smile, "it's still early but it will pick up. Especially when those guys get a few more in them," he added with laugh nodding to the college kids in the corner, "So what will it be, the usual?"
"That would be great, thanks."
"Coming right up." Jeff turned away, grabbing a glass, "where's the rest of your crew tonight?"
"I'm a little early," Lucy said looking at her watch, "I had an event at Stanford tonight and told them I would meet them here."
"Yeah, I was wondering why you were all dolled up," Jeff said with a wink, "I was going to tell you when you came in but that dress," he gave a low whistle setting the margarita in front of her, "wowzah!"
Lucy laughed looking down at her black dress, feeling a little self-conscious about the dress Jiya bought for her. Lucy hadn't exactly packed formal wear in her frantic fleeing of her mother's house, so when this event came up at the college she had panicked about not having anything appropriate to wear. She had texted Jiya asking her if she could grab her something and she had come over with the slinky black dress and a wink declaring that she needed to shake things up a little.
It was pretty but it was a little shorter and showed more skin than Lucy was normally comfortable with, "yeah right but thank you."
"Hey, I am serious," Jeff replied, "every guy in this room has been looking at you since you walked in, Wyatt would be pissed."
"They have not and we're just friends." At his high eyebrow raise, Lucy blushed, "we are," She protested.
"Keep telling yourself that kiddo," Jeff teased, "Yell if you need anything, Lucy."
"Thanks," as he walked away to new customers, she reflected on Jeff's words. As much as she wished his thoughts were true, she and Wyatt had been very firmly in the friend zone for a while now. Lucy had felt something for the smart-ass, reckless, hothead soldier from the very first smirk at Mason's industries. Wyatt had intrigued her with his take-charge attitude, and strong personality. Lucy smiled remembering some of the clashes they had at the beginning of their relationship.
A self-proclaimed nerd who was more interested in men from the past than pursuing romance in the present along with occasionally being too smart for her own good, it was hard to find men to keep up with her.
However, Wyatt had no problem going toe-to-toe with her. He wasn't afraid to stand up to her when she was pushing too hard or overthinking a situation. Wyatt also had the uncanny ability to keep up with her mind. He absorbed all the facts she spouted off during missions to turn them into a tactical advantage. His quick reactions had saved their lives more times than Lucy could count. That combined with his sinfully good-looks was a very interesting package.
Lucy sighed willfully into her drink, she had never been very confident about reading guys. Most of the men who seemed interested quickly backed off once they got to know her. It was enough to give any girl a complex, Lucy reflected sadly, even Wyatt seemed determined to keep their relationship strictly platonic.
There had been a time when Lucy had thought they were heading in a different direction. Those fleeting seconds in Arkansas when he had impulsively kissed her had played on her mind, more than she liked to admit. Then a fleeting moment discussing possibilities which at the time, she was convinced was about her. But then the Rittenhouse lid blew and her mom declared her intention of escorting her daughter into her role as royalty. Terrified Lucy had called Agent Christopher and Wyatt had shown up in record time to escort her back to his apartment, her new safe house. Despite living together, Wyatt had not mentioned one word of their previous conversation, convincing Lucy that he had just meant he was ready to let go of his grief, not necessarily pursuing something with her.
Lucy knew Wyatt cared about her, he had barely let her out of his sight since this whole thing started but never tried to take it anywhere else. Lucy figured he had decided that she was too much trouble with her weird family tree if he was ever interested in the first place.
Lucy shook herself of her melancholy thoughts. So, what if Wyatt didn't care about her the same way she did for him. She treasured their friendship and if that was all she got, then she would be content. Although, she couldn't deny it was getting harder and harder to hide her feelings when he insisted on sleeping on the couch so she could take the bed, and getting up early to make her coffee the way she liked. Then soothing her when she had nightmares for weeks after her mother confessed her true self, and his fierce protectiveness for her. Speaking of which, Lucy checked her phone, she still had a few minutes before the guys showed up.
Wyatt would be ticked if he knew that she had arrived early without texting him but Lucy figured what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Besides Mason's detail should be right outside watching over her. But his protective nature had been in overdrive since Rittenhouse had declared her public enemy number one. On every jump for the past month, Emma had either tried to kill her or her mother had sent minions to kidnap her. It had reached such heights that Wyatt barely let her go of her hand no matter what century they were in. When she told Wyatt about going to Stanford for the award ceremony, it taken some fast talking to get him to let her go alone.
"It's too dangerous," Wyatt insisted, "I'm going with you."
"No, you're not." Lucy replied calmly, "You have to go over strategy or whatever it is you and Agent Christopher do in those briefings. Then you promised Rufus you would put in more pilot practice so you could at least help him, just in case we are ever have a Capone situation again.
"I can do it tomorrow or- "
"Wyatt," Lucy interrupted softly, "I will be fine. Emma hasn't jumped in over two weeks which is making us all nervous. We need to figure out what they are planning and you're a great strategist. You need to go to the meeting with Denise. Toby and Jake have already agreed to be my detail tonight. Plus, it would bore you senseless."
"It would not," Wyatt grumbled un-convincingly which Lucy rolled her eyes behind his back, "I don't even know why you're going. You have been away from Stanford for almost two years."
"Because, they are honoring Professor Laymen's new book," she reminded, "but it was my research he used for it. I was helping him with it before I took the assignment at Mason."
"So, you did all the work but he writes the book and takes the credit," He summed up annoyed.
Lucy nodded, "pretty much. Also, he is the one who denied me tenure after I supplied him with most of his research."
"Okay, now you have to let me go with you. I can't hit a guy if I'm not there."
"I know. Which is another reason you're not going," Lucy took his hand, "relax. I will be careful and I won't sneak off without my guards, scout's honor. And despite, Dr. Laymen being a toad, I am looking forward to tonight. It will give me a chance to see what's happening at the college but you would hate it. Go to work. Hang out with Rufus in the lifeboat and I will see you at McDaniel's for drinks later all-right?"
Wyatt groaned loudly but Lucy knew she had won, "Fine, but text or call me if you feel like something is off."
Feeling accomplished of giving Wyatt the night off from babysitting her, which she felt regularly felt guilty about. Although she had been looking forward to the event despite the nauseating way people kept congratulating Dr. Layman for all of Lucy's work, she knew Wyatt would have bored to death. Hell, she was the historian and even she had slightly bored by all the speeches and lectures.
Somehow getting to live in the history had taken away some of the joy of hearing about it from a textbook perspective. Especially when most of the speakers were older white men, who wore polo's, ties, and horn-rimmed glasses. Not sexy soldiers with broad shoulders, deep dimples, and blue eyes that could make a nun sin- Okay she really needed to change that line of thinking, Lucy admonished herself taking another gulp of her drink.
She checked the time again, realizing the boys would be here any minute and she decided to find a table. As Lucy turned, she bumped into someone standing directly behind her, "Oh sorry I didn't see- Noah," she gasped.
Noah smiled, "Hey Lucy."
Lucy gulped, her eyes darting to the window hoping her security would notice her uneasiness, "What are doing here?"
"I missed you at the college so I figured this would be your next stop."
Lucy's eyes widened, "are you following me?" She demanded angrily.
"What else am I supposed to do?" He shot back, "You won't take my calls, you ignore my texts."
"We broke up." Lucy hissed furiously, "I gave you the ring back. We have nothing left to talk about."
Noah leaned in slightly, "I told you I didn't accept that. You can't just end an engagement without telling me why, or what I did wrong. I can fix it, baby- "
"Don't call me that!" Lucy interrupted frantically, it felt wrong to hear that word from Noah's lips when Wyatt still teasingly called her baby doll from their time with Bonnie and Clyde. "Look Noah, for the last time, it's over. I'm sorry that you got hurt but enough, okay." She stood up grabbing her purse, "Please don't contact me again." As she began to move, he stepped in front of her blocking her exit and grabbed her tightly causing her to whimper involuntarily, "You think you can just walk away from this, Lucy? You belong to me."
I still don't know how you managed to hit every wrong button for ten whole minutes," Rufus chirped next to him, laughter evident in his voice.
Wyatt rolled his eyes, "Sorry but some of us didn't graduate from MIT."
"Dude, I said the red button like four times and you just kept pressing the blue one."
Wyatt shrugged sheepishly as he jumped out of the truck to head inside, "Okay, so I was a little distracted."
Rufus shook his head, "You better hope Rittenhouse never shoots me like Flynn. Otherwise, I am pretty sure you would end up sending the lifeboat into outer-space or something."
"I told you to train Lucy."
"Lucy panics when I even mention math. She says that it's Satan's mistress and there is a reason all of her degrees are in the Liberal Arts field."
Wyatt chuckled opening the door to the McDaniel's, "Sounds right. It's why she hates cooking. It stresses her out with all the half or quarter cups. I gave up trying to convince her it doesn't really involve math."
Rufus laughed, "What time was her event at Stanford over?"
Wyatt checked his watch, "nine. She should be here any minute. Guess we should try to find a table."
"No need, she is at the bar," Rufus pointed out, "and uh wow."
Wyatt turned to where Rufus was pointing, his eyes opening wide and jaw dropping slightly. He had left before Lucy so he didn't see her outfit. It was probably a good thing because he seriously doubted he would have been able to resist the temptation he had been fighting since 1934 and not slam her against the wall and rip that dress off with his teeth.
It was the classic black style wrapped around her like a second skin showing every curve, her long creamy legs on full display, and the little jacket she wore with it did nothing to hide the teasingly low neckline. Lucy had piled her brown hair into a soft up-do with her curls falling gently around her face and her red lipstick matched the strappy heels she wore.
"Dude, you're drooling," Rufus whispered with a laugh.
"Wha-what," Wyatt coughed, "It's just a," He whirled his hand trying to get his brain to compute words, "new look for her."
"Uh-huh sure, just a new look," Rufus replied sarcastically, "but seriously, she looks amazing. I love Jiya but even I have to admit Lucy looks hot in that dress."
As Wyatt shot him a death glare, Rufus held up hands, "I mean hot in a purely professional sister way," he hastily assured him.
"Rufus," Wyatt huffed, "shut up."
"Shutting up." Rufus frowned, "who is that talking to her?"
Wyatt had been so blinded by Lucy he hadn't noticed the guy standing next to her, he dragged his attention away from the very distracting slit high up on her thigh, "It's her fake ex-fiancé, Noah," he replied frowning, "what does he want?"
"I thought Lucy said she broke up with him?
"She did." Wyatt narrowed his eyes noticing that Lucy looked uncomfortable. Her eyes were darting back and forth and he could tell she was trying to catch the attention out the window, where Mason's boy were supposed to be stationed, although Wyatt didn't recall seeing them in the parking lot.
"Come on," Wyatt said grabbing Rufus, "something is wrong."
As he pushed his way towards her, he could see Noah leaning into her space and Lucy skirting away. Lucy had never talked about how the breakup with the doctor went except it had been uncomfortable. However, from her body language, she was frightened of the guy which made Wyatt pick up speed. His anger spiking to stroke level when he noticed that Noah had her by the wrist so she couldn't leave and Lucy gasping in pain, "Let me go, Noah."
"We're not finished with this conversation."
"Let go of her now or I will break every bone in your hand," Wyatt growled menacingly putting his arm around Lucy's waist. Recognizing his presence, Lucy shot him a grateful look.
Noah rolled his eyes but released her adding a little force into it so she stumbled backwards. Wyatt steadied her and then gently tucked her behind him, keeping his focus locked on Noah.
He heard Rufus checking on her but he didn't move from his position. The doctor looked twitchy and his eyes were glassy. His body language tight and ready to strike, reminding Wyatt of the rattlesnakes his grandfather taught him to spot in Texas.
"Well if it isn't Lucy colleague. The guy she didn't leave me for but moved in with less than two days later." Noah said mockingly.
Wyatt smirked slightly but his eyes were gleaming dangerously, "And as the guy living with her now, let me be real clear here. Stay away from Lucy."
"Shouldn't I be saying that to you? In case you forgot, she's my fiancé."
"For the last time, Noah." Lucy interjected firmly behind Wyatt, "It's over. I want nothing more to do with you."
Noah scoffed, "It's not over until I say it's over, Lucy. You just need a reminder of what we- "
Wyatt grabbed him slamming his body into the bar, holding him in place by his throat, "I am really close to killing you and throwing your body piece by piece into the Pacific, Doc." He kept his voice soft but somehow that made his words even more threatening, "So if you value your life you will forget that you ever met Lucy Preston. You are not to call her, text her, or even think about her. Do we understand each other?"
Noah tried to push Wyatt off but he didn't even budge the Delta Soldier, "Do we understand each other?" Wyatt repeated slowly, his grip tightening on his neck.
Noah struggled for a few seconds but once he realized it was futile, he nodded reluctantly. Wyatt held him tightly against the bar to make sure he got the message before he released him.
Noah straightened with jerky movements, his wild eyes flicking to Lucy but he didn't say anything sensing that Wyatt's control would only last so much longer. With one last snarl in his direction, Noah turned and stormed out the door.
Wyatt didn't relax his stance until he was sure Noah had taken off. Just then Toby and Jake who were supposed to be Lucy's tail for the night walked inside, "Everything okay?" Toby asked curiously.
"Where the hell have you guys been?"
"We uh," Jake trailed off rubbing his neck embarrassed, "got a flat tire."
Wyatt pinched the bridge of nose breathing heavily trying to get control of his temper, "Wyatt, I will talk to them. Lucy needs you," Rufus told him quietly.
Wyatt turned noticing that Lucy was standing very still watching him. She smiled but her eyes were filled with unshed tears and she was trembling. He quickly gathered her up, "Are you okay?"
Lucy buried her head into his chest, her tears soaking his t-shirt. Wyatt rubbed her back whispering in her ear until she stopped shaking.
She finally looked up with a small smile, "Thank you for coming to my rescue."
"Don't thank me." He muttered guilt evident in his voice.
Lucy frowned putting her hand on his cheek, 'Wyatt, I am okay, you stopped him."
"It shouldn't have happened in the first place," Wyatt replied angrily looking over to the door where Rufus was telling Jake and Toby off for not staying with her. "I will deal with them tomorrow. This is the last time I trust Mason's goons with your protection."
"Deal," Lucy said with a sigh, "I am just glad you got here when you did." She winced rubbing her sore wrist.
Wyatt's followed her movement worriedly, "let me see."
"It's fine" She protested weakly but he had already taken her wrist gently. His blues eyes turning into glass as he took in the dark bruise revealing how tightly Noah had held her. Lucy felt his muscles clench and she grabbed him before he could take off, sensing he was about to lose control and go after Noah. "Wyatt, I'm fine. He didn't do anything else, you got to me in time."
Wyatt snatched her back into a bone crushing hug wishing he had killed the bastard while he had the chance. He not only touched her but he had hurt her. The bruise was going be practically black tomorrow and Wyatt still didn't know what Noah had said in the few minutes it took for Wyatt to reach her. He had a feeling it might have been more upsetting than the physical damage he left behind by the tremble Lucy was trying to hide but he could feel it in her tense frame, "Do you want to go?"
Lucy nodded, suddenly exhausted. Wyatt brushed a soothing kiss to her temple, "come on." He grabbed her purse exchanged a few words with Jeff before placing his hand low on her back escorting her out.
Rufus smiled at her gently, "You okay, Luce?"
She sighed wearily, "Yeah, I'm good."
"I'm going to take her home," Wyatt told him, "Can you and Jiya bring her car back later?"
"Sure, no problem."
"Thanks, Rufus." Lucy said leaning up to kiss his cheek, "tell Jiya I am sorry and I will talk to her tomorrow."
"Get some rest." Rufus gave a pointed look at Wyatt both noticing how pale Lucy looked and the weary look in her eyes. The run in with Noah had shaken her up more than she was letting on.
Wyatt gave her slight nudge, "Come on, Professor. Let's get you home."