A Deal With The Devil
You could cut the atmosphere in the conference room during the pre-mission briefing with a knife. "If female eyes were weapons," Wyatt thought, "Rufus Carlin was a dead man walking," as Lucy, Jiya, and Agent Christopher each went silent and directed an unamused stare at the pilot after his ill-advised quip. "You mean, like Women's Lib?" he had snickered while Lucy was explaining the possible historical significance of their latest mission. Emma and her henchmen had taken the mother ship to upstate New York on July 18, 1848, and upon learning the exact destination, Lucy was able to offer a plausible theory on Emma's possible motives.
Wyatt smothered a grin as Rufus had tried to back pedal, but it was too late (Someone is going to be banished to the couch when they returned). "Are you smiling, Wyatt Logan?" an obviously irate historian asked. Immediately schooling his facial features into a respectful mien, he replied, "No, Ma'am." Lucy huffed her disbelief, but let it slide as she continued, "As I was saying, the Seneca Falls Convention was held July 19 and 20, 1848, in Seneca Falls, New York, where the 'Declaration of Sentiments' was presented. The Declaration was written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was a prominent champion of women's rights in the mid- to late-1800's. She was credited with initiating the first organized women's suffrage movement in the United States."
Wyatt smiled at the passionate fervor in Lucy's voice for the subject, but unfortunately, she misinterpreted his expression. "Wyatt," she said earnestly, "before crusaders like Mrs. Stanton and Lucretia Mott, women in this country had so few rights and choices in their lives, even over their own bodies. For example, women couldn't legally own property and divorce was almost unheard of even if domestic abuse was involved. Most were married and expected to bear children whether they wanted to or not because there were very little reliable or even acceptable contraceptives."
Wyatt's dark blue eyes widened as Lucy leaned across the conference room table toward him. "In simplest terms, it means that most women back then were practically forced to have babies, even if they were not physically able to or couldn't afford to feed them." "Lucy," Wyatt interrupted, "I happen to admire and appreciate strong, opinionated women." At his intent gaze, her face reddened, and she sat back in her chair. As they continued to stare at each other, Rufus interjected, "Hey, I like strong women, too."
Wyatt rolled his eyes (Just give it up, man) as the three women turned to look at Rufus, who offered a sheepish grin. Agent Christopher stood abruptly and ended the meeting by advising, "The lifeboat will be fully charged in less than 30 minutes, so you three better get to Wardrobe." At her words, Jiya jumped up from her chair and followed the agent out of the room, with Rufus hot on her heels trying to mollify his girlfriend. Lucy and Wyatt looked at each other and laughed as their friend's voice trailed away, "Jiya, c'mon, you know I was just trying to be funny, Jiya, baby..."
Lucy chuckled as Wyatt observed wryly, "Someone's in the dog house." As they made their way from the conference room to the Wardrobe bay, Lucy picked up where she had left off, "Wyatt, I don't have any idea what possible reasons Emma or my mother would have for disrupting this convention, but we absolutely have to protect Mrs. Stanton, and this convention has to conclude with the presentation of her declaration."
Wyatt stopped, and putting a comforting hand on Lucy's arm, assured her, "Lucy, we will do our very best, just like we always do. Try not to worry, okay? Now, you better get moving, because there's probably a corset in there somewhere calling your name," and he smirked at the frown she shot him. With a dimpled grin, he confessed, "Hey, I know you hate the corsets, but I'm just caveman enough to admit I like the way you look in one." Her dark eyes widened and her cheeks pinked at his words, and she stood frozen in place as he turned and walked into the men's locker room.
The women's locker room door suddenly opened in front of her with Jiya admonishing, "Lucy! What are you just standing there for? We have to hurry because I need to do your hair, too." Biting her lip, Lucy shook her head and going into the locker room, quickly stripped down. With Jiya's able assistance, she first donned pantilettes and a thin sleeveless chemise, then sat on the bench and began rolling delicate cotton stockings up her slim calves over her knees, fastened the garters, and slipped on soft leather half boots before Jiya wrapped the dreaded corset around her and started lacing it up. She groaned softly as the laces tightened. Trying to distract herself, Lucy thought about telling the younger woman what Wyatt had just said to her, but decided to keep his unexpectedly flirtatious words to herself.
In the month since Emma had stolen the mother ship and Lucy had learned of her mother's duplicitous plans, she and Wyatt had existed in a strange kind of limbo. They had never again discussed "possibilities" even though mere days later, both of them had been moved into adjacent apartments in a building under 24-hour NSA protection. They actually spent quite a bit of their down time with each other, sharing meals and talking, watching blu rays, going on runs every morning they weren't working. She couldn't speak for Wyatt, but she felt lonely on the rare occasions when they weren't together. And though she tried not to, Lucy relived their sham kiss in front of Bonnie and Clyde in 1934 far more often than was probably a good idea.
Lucy had realized months ago, especially after the mission to 1944 Nazi Germany, that the first spark of attraction she had unwillingly felt for Master Sergeant Wyatt Logan was slowly, inevitably growing into a deep, abiding love the likes of which she had never experienced before. The lack of forward movement in their relationship (are we actually even in a relationship?) made her heart ache at times. She longed to revisit the conversation about possibilities and often wished she were brave enough to just flat out talk to Wyatt about her feelings. But she was a coward, and her fear that he was still in love with his dead wife Jessica trapped the words inside her.
Jiya interrupted her wistful musings, "Here, Lucy, arms up," she ordered as she dropped the first starched petticoat over Lucy's head. Two more petticoats were followed by a long-sleeved, bell-skirted dress in a small pink floral pattern. Lucy waited patiently as Jiya fastened the long line of tiny buttons up the back of the dress and sighed when Jiya consoled, "Almost done, Lucy, just hair and a little makeup, oh, and jewelry." When her dress was finally all buttoned, Lucy shook out her skirts and moved over to the small table where Jiya had a plugged-in curling iron ready. She stood quietly as the other woman deftly pulled most of Lucy's dark wavy hair into a neat bun at the back of her head, and carefully curled ringlets in front of each ear.
"Lucy, I am always amazed at how good you look in period clothes," Jiya offered as she looked at Lucy in the mirror. She smiled at the sentiment, but demurred, "Thanks, but you deserve the credit, Jiya, for getting me ready every time." Jiya brushed off the compliment, "I actually enjoy all this, 'cause it's like having my own 'Lucy' doll to dress up," and both women giggled at her confession.
A sharp knock at the door was followed by Wyatt asking, "Lucy, are you nearly done? Rufus is already on board." "Be right out," she called, and picking up the bonnet Jiya had laid out for her, started for the door. "Wait, Lucy! Don't forget about your jewelry," and Lucy obediently turned around to insert small drop earrings in her ears. "And, last but not least, we can't forget about your wedding ring," and as a grinning Jiya handed over the slim gold band, Lucy fought to suppress the tiny thrill she got every time this particular piece of jewelry was necessary for a mission.
Along with all the incredibly authentic clothes, shoes, and accessories for each of the team members that filled the large Wardrobe bay, Connor Mason had procured actual 24K gold wedding bands for the two of them. During the second mission where they had worn the rings, she and Wyatt had been taken aback to discover that Connor had gotten the bands personalized. Wyatt's wide gold band was inscribed "W. Logan" and, to her secret delight, Lucy's ring read "L. Logan." Surprisingly, Wyatt had made no comment about the inscriptions, merely raised one dark eyebrow when Lucy blushed.
Pushing the gold band onto her left ring finger, Lucy snatched up her fingerless gloves and a small drawstring bag, as well as the straw bonnet with pink flowers and burgundy ribbons, and hurried after Jiya to the platform where Wyatt was waiting patiently to help her in the lifeboat. (He looks so very handsome in his costume.)
Waiting just outside the lifeboat, Wyatt had been absentmindedly rubbing his thumb against the wedding band he wore as he waited for Lucy. Now that they had worn the rings on several previous missions, it no longer felt odd on his finger. The silver band that Jessica had placed on his hand nearly ten years ago currently resided in the back of a dresser drawer at his place. At the time, Wyatt had been sure he would never again wear a wedding ring, but he found that he didn't mind wearing this ring at all (strictly for missions, of course).
Many times over the past few weeks, Wyatt had wanted to continue their conversation about possibilities, but he just wasn't sure how to approach Lucy about the subject. That day at Mason, her big dark eyes intently looking up at him even as he fumbled his way through a lame explanation of why he wasn't ready to say goodbye to her, Wyatt hoped she could interpret what he was really trying to say. He suspected that Lucy had feelings for him, but what if he was wrong?
Wyatt would never forget the way she saved him at the Alamo, when she had bravely charged over to him, heedless of the danger all around, and demanded that he escape with them through the aqua duct. Lucy was the reason he was alive today, and his initial feelings of gratitude and affection had deepened into something much stronger than he had ever experienced with anyone except Jessica. Wyatt would catch himself gazing at Lucy's mouth and thinking about their kiss in 1934 more frequently than he was comfortable with, but he just couldn't seem to stop himself.
That was why he had been so angry at Lucy after Flynn had taunted him about the journal in 1972 Washington D.C. Wyatt's male pride had been eviscerated by the older man's calm, mocking voice filling his head with doubts and driving a wedge between him and Lucy. For a time, his trust in Lucy had been shaken, and while it had been personally painful, it also could have been deadly for their team. Thank God she had confronted him about his asshole behavior in 1754. Wyatt still experienced remorse over the way he had let Flynn manipulate him into hurting Lucy. And while he was pretty sure he hadn't earned it, he knew that she had forgiven him. But all that was in the past now, and while things between the two of them weren't moving forward quite as quickly as he wished, Wyatt was optimistic that with a little time and some patience on his part, he and Lucy could make it work. Since Jess died, no other woman had even come close with him except his favorite history professor.
He looked up at the sound of Lucy and Jiya's chatter as they made their way to the platform, and smiled at how pretty Lucy looked in her costume. Even though he knew that she really disliked the corsets, Wyatt meant what he had said to her earlier. From the very first time they met, he thought she was attractive, although not necessarily his type (up to then, Wyatt had always preferred blondes), but as the months passed, and they spent more and more time together, often in life-or-death situations, he had realized that Lucy was simply beautiful, both inside and out. And he had to admit, deep down, something about her tiny corseted waist in these period dresses really did it for him.
"Here you go, Wyatt," said Jiya cheerfully as she handed him Lucy's valise to stow away along with his and Rufus'. The trio had learned early on to take extra clothes and personal items with them in case a mission took longer than planned. The guys tended to travel lighter than Lucy, usually just taking clean shirts and undergarments, while her bag would often also include a second dress and a nightgown.
Wyatt handed the valise to Rufus, and thanking Jiya, helped Lucy maneuver her voluminous layers through the opening in the lifeboat, until she was finally seated, her cheeks flushed pink at their combined efforts. The petulant look on her face secretly amused him, but he said nothing as he double checked her seat belts and made sure she was securely fastened in before taking his seat and buckling his own belts, and with a tremendous roar, the lifeboat left the platform.
Less than two days later, the team arrived back at Mason in good spirits despite suffering through a mid-summer heat wave in their heavy clothing. Lucy was pleased to confirm that the Seneca Falls Convention had proceeded exactly as it should have, and she had been especially thrilled to be among those assembled to witness Elizabeth Cady Stanton's presentation of the famed "Declaration of Sentiments" at the end of the second day. While she had attended the convention both days, Wyatt and Rufus had scouted the entire village of Seneca Falls several times over, and there had been no sign of Emma or her hired muscle.
They exited the lifeboat to find an unusually serious-looking Agent Christopher waiting for them. "Rufus, if you wouldn't mind, I need to speak to just Lucy and Wyatt for a few minutes. Why don't you get changed and go find Jiya, and I will let you know when it's time for your debriefing." Curiously looking back and forth between his startled friends, the pilot shrugged and agreed, giving Wyatt one last concerned glance before making his way to the Wardrobe bay.
The agent apologized, "I know you are both tired and must be desperate to get out of those hot clothes, but I have something urgent to discuss with you both that just can't wait. Let's take this conversation to my office," and Wyatt and Lucy slowly followed her from the platform. Agent Christopher ushered them in and closing the door to her office, asked the pair to sit down before she took a seat behind her desk.
Taking a deep breath, the agent began, "Yesterday, not too long after the lifeboat left, I received a secure message from my supervisor's supervisor about one of the Rittenhouse detainees taken into custody a month ago." At the troubled expression on Agent Christopher's face, Wyatt knew something terrible had either already happened or was about to, and he reached over to take Lucy's hand.
"Lucy, there has been a request come through the proper channels for a meeting with you." Lucy gasped softly and her grip on Wyatt's hand tightened as she steeled herself for what was to come. "All due respect, Ma'am, just spit it out," Wyatt growled, and his heart sank as the agent ignored his insolent tone. (How bad is this going to be?)
Agent Christopher sighed and cut to the chase, "Lucy, Benjamin Cahill has asked to meet with you," as Wyatt interrupted, "No way! Lucy doesn't need to be anywhere near that bastard. He's right where he belongs, hopefully for the rest of his days." Squeezing his hand, "Wyatt, please, just let her finish," Lucy asked wearily. And he reluctantly subsided at the pleading look she gave him.
"Please go on, Agent Christopher, so that I can turn you down, and get out of these clothes and go home," The agent shook her head, "That's just it, Lucy, I'm not entirely certain that you will, or even should, refuse this meeting with Cahill." Rapidly running out of patience, Wyatt erupted again, "Could you be any more cryptic, Ma'am?" She relented, "Lucy, Benjamin Cahill has requested that I tell you the reason he wants to meet with you is that it's a matter of life or death."
At Lucy's small cry of distress, Wyatt jumped to his feet, and snarled, "Is that a threat against Lucy? Are you kidding? And you want her to meet with this prick?" "Stand down now, Master Sergeant Logan," Christopher ordered in a steely voice, and Wyatt knew he had finally pushed the agent as far as he could. "Although Cahill refused to give me more than a couple details, I can tell you both that no, the death threat is not against Lucy. It's for you, Wyatt."
A/N: Sorry (not sorry) for the cliffhanger ;) Another plot bunny that's been hopping around my brain for a while, and I thought I'd give it a shot and see what everyone thinks. I already have a good bit of the next chapter written and hope to post it soon, plus I'm also working on the next chapter of First Steps. It's official: Timeless has taken over my life, LOL...