It had only been a few months but Wyatt couldn't get used to meeting people he'd only read about. Right now he was standing in the office of Al Capone with a sense of dread hanging over his head. He needed Lucy and Rufus closer to the door or behind better cover. He couldn't protect both of them if things went south, and reading the room and the body language of the other men, Wyatt knew it was only a matter of time before things started to go wrong.
At first Capone was talking and giving them some of the answers they needed to find Flynn, and what Flynn learned about Rittenhouse. He started to become more agitated, yelling and slamming his fist into the desk while talking to his brother Jimmy. Lucy shifted closer toward Wyatt.
"That guy Flynn told me these three might come looking for him. And when he left, he asked me to do him one more favor. And being a man of my word," Capone snapped a pistol up and pointed it at Rufus.
Guns were drawn by the four men and pointed around the room. Capone's man pulled two, pointing at the back of Richard "Jimmy" Hart, the other pointed at Wyatt. Wyatt aimed at Capone.
"Oh," Rufus cried and shifted back, hands up.
"No no no please please," Lucy begged hands straight out.
"I made a deal to take out the colored fella. Flynn says they can't follow him if I do."
"I can't let you do that," Jimmy demanded.
"Jimmy, you'd pull a gun on me, your own brother?"
Tension is high, Wyatt's eyes shift around the room taking in everyone's location. Lucy was between Rufus and himself, he couldn't protect them both and he couldn't reach Rufus with Lucy in the way. If Wyatt shot Capone first, his guy would shoot Jimmy and him. Lucy stepped closer to Rufus, Wyatt wanted to shove her to the floor, yell at her to get down. He was the expendable one, not her and not Rufus. Wyatt tried to shift closer but the other man tracked his movement, and shifted one of his pistols toward Lucy. Wyatt froze, he refused to put his team in any more danger.
The sound of the cocking hammer of Jimmy's gun echoed through the room. Wyatt took a breath and steadied his mind.
"Lower your weapon, Al," Jimmy ordered.
"What are you gonna do? You gonna- you gonna shoot me?"
"I don't want to."
"But you want to take me to prison, is that right?"
Wyatt could see from the corner of his eye Lucy's hands lower and she shifted her weight. Wyatt knew that she had a plan and he didn't know how to tell her to stop.
"Dad wasn't around to see what you had become," Jimmy snapped.
"Neither were you!" Capone raged, the gun waved in his hand.
Lucy jumped at the venom in his voice, Rufus kept his shoulders slumped trying to look smaller. Wyatt knew there was no chance they were getting out of here without someone getting hurt or worse. He just needed to try to protect his team.
"You want to know why I disappeared? Because I saw what you were becoming and I didn't want to end up like that, like all this. I may be a capone, but you and I are nothing alike."
"You're right. We're not." Capone's voice was softer, almost calm. His hand tightened around the pistol grip. "But we're family. And family's more important than anything. Which is why I know you won't shoot."
Capone's head turned toward Rufus, his head cocked to the side. Lucy moved before Wyatt could, throwing herself in front of Rufus when the first shot was fired. Wyatt ducked behind the couch, he saw Jimmy shoot Al and when the other man moved, Wyatt shot him. Wyatt waited before moving to make sure the man was down and that nobody else came in. Jimmy walked around the desk and looked down at his brother. From behind him, Wyatt heard a gasp and groan from Lucy.
"Oh my God, Lucy."
Wyatt spun on his heels and looked at his friends. Rufus's back was against a beam with Lucy sprawled across his lap. She clutched at her left lower abdomen, blood blooming fresh under her hands, her brown eyes wide with pain and fear.
"He shot me?" Lucy's voice wavered in shock.
Wyatt dropped to his knees beside her, he frantically tugged and pulled at her thick green coat. She wore a silk camisole underneath that was already starting to darken with blood.
"I got her. Get something to control the bleeding," he told Rufus.
Wyatt lifted her up and pulled her toward him. Resting her head against his chest, he wrapped his arms around her and covered her hands with his. Rufus was up and moving before he finished closing his hand over hers. He came back with a stack of linen napkins. Wyatt grabbed them from Rufus, removed Lucy's hand to pressed the napkins to the bleeding wound, he used direct pressure with his hands, as Lucy's hand weakly covered his. Wyatt only saw the one wound, which meant the bullet was still inside her.
"How bad is it?" Lucy panted.
"It's not good. The bullet's still in there."
"We need to get her to the hospital," Rufus blurted out.
"In the 30's no way. they're... just bad," Lucy grimaced.
"We'll get her back, turn ourselves in. Rittenhouse will make sure she get the best care," Wyatt advised.
"No, Wyatt no. Our faces are on every single government watch list back home. As soon as we walk in you'll be arrested. We just got you back. I'm not going to let you risk everything for me." Lucy shifted to look up at him.
'I'm sorry, Lucy. I'm so sorry," Rufus said. "It should have been me."
"No I should've- I should've reacted faster." Wyatt rubbed his chin over her hair.
"One problem at a time, right?" Lucy hissed.
Wyatt looked down at her, she was sweating, tears shimmered in her brown eyes. Her body trembled against him and he could see the pain she was trying to hide from them.
"Yeah," Wyatt gave her a small smile.
"Let's get her to the Lifeboat, I'll get us home." Rufus said.
Jimmy comes up behind Wyatt, "Police are on the way, ambulance too."
"I don't know if we can wait that long," Wyatt worried. She was losing too much blood. "Rufus give me your belt, I need to secure these napkins."
Rufus quickly removed his belt and handed it to him, Wyatt sat her forward, Lucy groaned at the movement. He wrapped the belt around her tiny waist twice before he could get it tight enough to hold pressure. He picked her up, cradled her against his chest and looked to Rufus. Wyatt turned to Jimmy.
"We're just going to take her ourselves. Thank you for your help, I know this was hard for you." Wyatt sighed. "I'm sorry"
Lucy's hand clenched on Wyatt's jacket. She buried her face against his neck. Wyatt tightened his hold and ran from the room Rufus close behind him. They rushed to the car, Rufus drove them to the Lifeboat, Wyatt held her on his lap. He whispered to her to hold on, and she'd be okay. Wyatt's hands were starting to crust with dried blood, he focused on keeping her breathing steady. It also kept him from panicking. This wasn't supposed to happen, not to her. Wyatt was supposed to keep them safe, that was what he was meant to do.
Rufus slammed on the brakes and threw the door open. He ran around the car, and reached for Lucy.
"I got her, get the Lifeboat started." Wyatt couldn't get his hands to let go.
Rufus didn't question he just ran, hitting switches and controls. He turned to help Wyatt pass Lucy up into the Lifeboat. Together they sat her in her seat, Wyatt buckled her in. Her eyes were wide and tears streamed down her face. She was wheezing. She kept her eyes on his, fear and pain etched on her features. Wyatt brushed his thumb over her cheek, pushing her hair back from her face.
"Stay with me Lucy," Wyatt whispered. She tried to nod.
He sat in his seat and was buckling in when she collapsed forward.
""Lucy!? No!" Wyatt yelled.
He reached toward her at the same time Rufus sent them back home. Wyatt was thrown forward into her he locked his elbows and tightened his grip on her seat. He tried not crush her with his weight. Her head lulled back and forth. He could see her chest rising and falling and right now that was all that mattered.
The violent movement through time was worse without a seatbelt. Wyatt was forced to wrap his arms around Lucy and her seat, lock his wrists, and tuck his head against her shoulder. He straddled her lap and held on. The jarring stop sent waves of nausea through him, the metallic smell of Lucy's blood made it worse. Wyatt wondered if he'd ever get the smell of blood and coconut shampoo out of his head again. Once she was better he'd recommend a change in hair products. Wyatt realized he had no say in what products she used it wasn't like he'd ever be wrapped around her this close again.
Rufus spun in his seat, and looked at Wyatt confused and curious. He opened his mouth to say something and then shook his head, muttering he didn't want to know. Wyatt ignored him and stumbled back off of her. Her eyes were closed, her breathing rapid and shallow.
"Lucy, Lucy wake up. Come on, Luce, wake up for me," Wyatt called. Her eyes fluttered open and she stared at him.
Rufus opened the Lifeboat door and together they moved Lucy out of her chair, Wyatt carried her to a stack of palates. He put her down, he turned to talk to Rufus but Lucy's hand tightened on her coat.
"No hospitals, Wyatt. Don't risk yourselves for me."
"Professor, you're worth the risk."
"No, I'm not."
"To me you are."
"And to me," Rufus added.
"Rufus, think about your family," Lucy begged.
Rufus stood on her other side and touched her shoulder.
"I am thinking of my family, you and Wyatt."
Lucy cried out in pain and her hand clamped tight around Wyatt's. Rufus rushed around the warehouse, he returned with a small first aid kit, a blanket, and their phones. Rufus handed over Lucy's and Wyatt noticed a few missed calls from, Noah Something. He looked at Lucy then back at Rufus.
"I might have another option, or Lucy might," he offered.
Wyatt liked to tease Lucy about her semi-fiancee, even if he secretly hated it. He told himself it was for her safety, that the guy was a risk. She didn't know him and for all they knew he could be Rittenhouse. Wyatt had never met him, but he had been curious about what kind of man Lucy would have went for. She told him once that he was a doctor, but that she still didn't know his last name. She had chosen to move back in with her mother, but for some reason didn't break off the engagement as soon as she found out about it. It had confused Wyatt. She didn't know him, how could she lead him on, unless she thought she had some connection with this guy.
If this guy really cared about her, he would come once he knew she was hurt. Wyatt hoped that he didn't come with Rittenhouse enforcers. One thing they all knew was, if Wyatt and Rufus were taken into custody, they would never see each other again, and if they were lucky they would die in solitary. Most likely they'd be killed within a few days of incarceration long before they saw the inside of a courtroom. But, the plus side would be Lucy would live. As far as he was concerned his life was forfeit if she died anyways.
Rufus and Lucy were the closest he came to family. Protecting them was his mission. But it was Lucy that held him together.
It had started when they first met.
Wyatt had no use for a beautiful woman on a mission, especially not a bossy know-it-all. She was a non-expendable asset that pushed and challenged him at every turn. She got in his way, in his face, and then she got in his mind. Lucy snapped him out of his living nightmare and it was in that moment that he truly saw her. Her hands had been painfully tight as she held his face, but all he saw was panic, fear, and hope. He locked onto to her warm chocolate eyes and crawled out of his misery.
He tried to fight his attraction to her, he was damaged and had no business even thinking about a woman like Lucy Preston. But he liked her passion, her brilliant mind and her quick wit. He cared about her, and when he found out she lied to him, it made him sick with anger. He thought he had been played for a fool. Then to find out that Rufus was recording every word soon after, had almost ruptured the team. But then they overcame and became friends. They became stronger together, they trusted each other, they were more than teammates. They were family.
Wyatt thought he understood his feelings for Lucy. He could be friends and teammates with an attractive woman, and not want to complicate their relationship with feelings and sexual thoughts. A dream here and there didn't mean anything. It was normal. But then he had to go and kiss her. He had done it to avoid suspicion from Clyde. What he didn't count on was the shiver of pleasure that went down his spine or the need to kiss her again. He had almost kissed her again on that tiny bed and her words of possibilities. It wouldn't have been for show, it wouldn't have been an act, and Wyatt didn't think he would be able to stop if he crossed that line.
Then Flynn took Lucy, and Wyatt lost all sense of time. The overwhelming panic and loss had surprised him. As soon as he was alone he had slammed his fist into the wall over and over until his hand went numb and he thought he had broken it. He had failed her and until he got her back nothing made sense. Wyatt didn't sleep more than a few hours after she been taken. He yelled and made demands, people refused to meet his eyes. The deja vu of the time when Jessica was missing, the guilt of losing another person he cared about. It made him think he was cursed, everyone he cared about died or went away, Grandpa Sherwin, Jessica, his squad, all gone, all dead and he was the lone survivor.
He should never have stayed on the team, he put them at risk because he needed them.
Suffocation in the murder room didn't scare him, if he died and then he would be free of this horrible life. He had only wanted to make sure Lucy lived. He wanted to get Rufus home so he could live. But then Lucy was in his arms and nothing else mattered. She was alive and came to rescue them. Before he could blink she was gone again, and in even more risk at the hands of a serial killer. Wyatt had no problem killing H.H Holmes,but he did have a hard time letting Lucy go. He wanted her close enough to touch, he needed to see her, make sure she was still there.
That was the problem, he shouldn't want those things with Lucy, he should want to get his wife back. Lucy shouldn't be the one he thinks about when he wakes up, the one that makes him smile. He was glad when Flynn gave him the means to find Jessica's killer. It made him focus on what was really important, Jessica. He made the choice, the selfish choice, to try and get her back, but he needed to talk to Lucy one more time. He couldn't leave without saying goodbye. She was willing to go to help him, she knew what the trip meant to him and she wanted to help. He couldn't let her risk not getting her sister back not for him. He wanted to go to her when she started to cry, he wanted to hold her and tell her that even if she never knew him, he would never forget her. Wyatt knew that if he did hold her he wouldn't leave.
He was so desperate to change the past that he accidently killed a man and the worst part was he didn't bring Jessica back. She was still dead and now he would disappear in some black site never to see his team again. When Agent Christopher explained to him the real damage he had done, he had opened the door to give Rittenhouse more control of their lives. He put his team in greater danger because he ignored and denied what he had known for months everything in his life lead him to this point, to this team and this woman. Wyatt was done fighting his fate.
He had thought that he would never see them again, that he had failed them, but Agent Christopher helped him escape and he was back with his team. Then Lucy was holding him and he was able to breathe again, the band around his chest eased. He knew what his role in life was, and if it made him a little crazy at least it was with good company. He told himself that he wouldn't complicate his relationship with Lucy. She had enough on her plate and didn't need to add dealing with a friend's unrequited feelings. But now, he might be too late.
Wyatt's hands shook as he pressed down on her lower abdomen. She was still bleeding and if fiancee Noah didn't get here soon Wyatt wouldn't care what Lucy wanted, he would take her to the closest hospital and he would stay by her side until the police dragged him away. Rufus paced beside the warehouse door, waiting to show the doctor in.
Rufus had been too nervous to make the call and Lucy was in and out of conscious. Wyatt had to call using Lucy's phone. He explained who he was and that Lucy had been hurt, he said that she was asking for him. Wyatt had told him to bring medical supplies. Noah had demanded to talk to Lucy. Wyatt hated waking her up, but if the guy needed proof, and she needed him, Wyatt would do it. He muted the phone and shook her shoulder, her eyes opened she gave him a small smile.
"Am I dead?" she whispered.
"No, but you're going to wish you were. You have to talk to Noah."
"Who?" She started coughing.
Wyatt tried not to smile, "Your fiancee, Noah. We need you to convince him to come here and not call the cops on us."
She nodded and reached for the phone, "Noah, I need your help."
That had been almost an thirty minutes ago and he still hadn't arrived, neither had Oakland police, so he hadn't called the cops, at least not yet. Wyatt stared down at Lucy, one hand pressed down on her bandaged wound, the other brushed hair from her pale, sweaty face. He couldn't fathom a world where she wasn't in it. He bent down to her ear whispered promises to her, sent up prayers to a God he had cursed for years, but for Lucy he'd beg. Rufus whistled from behind him, the signal for the doctor's arrival. Wyatt pulled back and sat up. He took a deep breath, this was not going to be easy.
"Where is Lucy Preston?" the voice demanded from the doorway.
"She's over here. Did you come alone?" Rufus answered.
"I did what she asked me, but I don't know you so show me where my fiancee is."
Wyatt leaned down to Lucy, "Luce, you got to wake up your Prince Charming is here."
"Where'd you go?" She mumbled.
"Ha! I'm no one's prince." He gave a brittle laugh.
"You're also not that charming," her words were slurred but she tried to smile.
"I am very charming when I want to be, Ma'am."
She smiled and squeezed his hand.
"Lucy? Lucy what the hell happened? Who are these people? Is she shot? She needs a hospital." Noah's voice rose higher with each question.
Wyatt got his first look at the man Lucy would have married in another timeline. He had dark brown hair, blue eyes, a tall athletic body. Wyatt straightened his shoulders, fought the urge to stand taller. Wyatt figured he'd be good looking, but this guy was ridiculous. He looked like every girl's dream, tall dreamy doctor, no wonder her mother loved him so much. He also looked like he hadn't slept in days, and he was pissed.
He went straight to Lucy's side, he eyed Wyatt and the hand clamped over her stomach with her hand on top of his. Wyatt didn't move from her side. Rufus stood beside Wyatt, and they waited for an opening.
"Are you the one that called?" Noah looked at Wyatt with borderline malice.
"Wyatt. And this is Rufus. We work with Lucy. Lucy needs your help." Wyatt tried to keep his voice calm. He couldn't afford to piss this guy off any more than he already was.
"What Lucy needs is a damn hospital! Have you called her mother? You idiots don't care enough about her to make sure she gets the help she needs."
Wyatt was losing his grip on his leashed anger. This guy had no idea how much Wyatt cared for Lucy.
"This was the only thing she would let us do. If you're done berating us maybe you can save her life." Wyatt clipped out. He would take some abuse, but not if it delayed her care.
"I need more light and higher table."
Wyatt looked at Rufus who was already moving, "I'm on it."
Lucy moaned and writhed in pain on the makeshift bed. Noah moved at the same time as Wyatt.
"Baby, I'm here. Shh, I'm here."
She shifted away from him, confusion filled her face and her eyes went wide with panic. Her shallow breathing became erratic.
"Wyatt!?" Lucy whimpered.
"Hey, hey Luce, you're safe. I didn't go anywhere." Wyatt step forward, so she can see him better.
"Don't leave," her voice broke.
"I'm not going anywhere, Ma'am."
Her breath slowed down and she relaxed. Her hand was clamped tight around his arm. Wyatt could feel Noah's sharp cold eyes on him but he didn't care. This is where he belonged. Rufus returned with spot lights, a folding table, and another blanket. He set up the table close to the wall and the lights were plugged in, then he laid the blanket out and took off his jacket making a pillow. He turned to the other men, and shrugged.
Wyatt moved to pick her up at the same time Noah did.
"I got her," he said harshly.
Wyatt reluctantly stepped back. Lucy's head turned away from Noah, her hand pressed into his chest pushing herself away from him.
"Lucy, dear I got you, you're going to fall if you fight me."
Wyatt had to bite his lip from letting out the thoughts running through his head.
"Lucy, you're safe we're here." Rufus called to her.
Lucy rolled her head toward him and gave him a small nod. She stopped fighting the other man's hold. Wyatt stayed close behind him, worried that Noah would drop her. Noah laid her on the table, brushed hair from her face, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Wyatt's jaw clenched and he felt a rush of heat through his chest. He did not like this guy touching Lucy. She looked at him her brow furrowed, she licked her dry lips.
"Where's Wyatt?" She mumbled.
Noah snapped his head toward Wyatt his eyes blazed with fury.
Wyatt stepped to her other side took her hand, placed his hand on her forehead. She gave him a weak smile and tucked his hand against her cheek.
"I need to get to the wound. How long ago was she shot?"
"Little over an hour ago, no exit wound just the one hole. We controlled bleeding as much as possible."
Noah put his med kit on a table that Rufus set up. He pulled out gloves and scissors. He turned to Lucy cut off the belt holding the banges on, he cut her jacket away and he cut the camisole she was wearing. He pulled her shirt apart. Wyatt growled and cover her with his shirt.
Rufus cried out, "Hey Doctor Feelgood, why don't you give our girl a little respect."
He looked at Wyatt then Rufus.
"I am the doctor here, I'm checking for other injuries. If you two are going to tell me how to do my job then you can leave. This is my fiancee, I've already seen everything she has to offer."
"I don't care if she was your damn wife, you're not exposing her like that," Wyatt hissed. "She has no exit wound and no other injuries."
"Yeah, what he said," Rufus added.
"Fine," he scoffed. "Do you know how to start an IV? We need to get fluid back in her. I have a small oxygen tank in my med bag, we can give her a low flow to keep her stable. I'm concerned with her blood loss, she seems confused. She doesn't seem to know me."
Rufus snorted, "I bet."
Noah scowled at Rufus but he didn't say anything.
"I can start the line," Wyatt offered.
Noah passed him a saline bag, tubing, and a small gauge needle. Wyatt quickly flooded the line and hung it from a hook Rufus put in the wall, he cut her sleeve put a tourniquet on and found the vain he needed. It's been awhile since Wyatt started an IV but he wouldn't hesitate if it helped Lucy. When he finished, he secured the catheter with tape and took Lucy's hand again.
"Are you going to give her something for the pain?" Rufus fretted.
"I don't know if she can take it. I have lidocaine to numb the area but that's the best I can do. She is already weak from blood loss. Maybe one of you can keep her talking."
Rufus bumped Wyatt arm, "She'll listen to you."
"Ha, when has she ever listened to me?" Wyatt smirked and looked down at Lucy.
"Good point, maybe I should try," Rufus joked.
"Nah, I got it." Wyatt huffed.
Wyatt brushed his hand through her hair, his face above hers. He lifted her hand up to his mouth and brushed his lips over her knuckles. He used a cloth to wipe her brow.
"Lucy, this is going to hurt. Noah has to get the bullet out."
She shook her head eyes still closed, "No hospital, Wyatt."
"I know, you stubborn woman," Wyatt said affectionately. "That is why Noah is going to help you, right here."
"Okay, no police. Can't lose you."
"I can't lose you either, so you hold on."
"Is something wrong, Doctor?" Rufus snapped out behind Wyatt.
Wyatt turned to see Noah watching him, an icy glare filled with hate. Rufus stood beside Wyatt, a hand on his shoulder and another on Lucy's leg. Sending them his support.
"Now I know why she moved out," Noah glowered.
"You don't know anything, but I suggest you focus on saving her so that maybe you learn something," Rufus chided.
Wyatt ignored them both and turned back to Lucy, she was watching him, her eyes glassy and scared. He smiled for her.
"Tell me something I don't know," her voice weak.
"That doesn't leave me a lot of room to work with," Wyatt felt rewarded when she chuckled. "Let's see, did you know that, billy goats urinate on their own heads to smell more attractive to females."
Rufus snorted behind him, "Seriously? Okay well, when hippos are upset, their sweat turns red."
"Stephen Hawking once threw a party for time-travelers on June 28, 2009, but he only announced the party the next day. No one showed up." Lucy added.
The three of them started to laugh, until Lucy cried out.
"Okay, Ma'am enough of with the jokes," Wyatt chided.
Noah grunted but he didn't comment.
"Wyatt," she cried out.
"Hold her legs, don't let her move. I found the bullet."
Rufus held down her legs, he rubbed her knee and mumbled a prayer. Wyatt cupped her face and pressed his forehead to hers.
"Shh, Luce, I'm here. You are the strongest person I know. I have never met anyone like you. I am better because you are in my life," Wyatt's voice wavered.
"It hurts, I'm so tired. I'll never get Amy back. You don't need me. Take the lifeboat, get Jessica."
"I know, it hurts. But I need you to hold on a little bit longer, he's almost done." Wyatt pulled back and looked into her eyes. "I don't want anybody else. Rufus needs you, I need you."
"My words," Lucy sniffled.
"They saved my life, you saved my life over and over. But more than that, you made me whole."
Lucy looked up at him, she lifted a weak hand to his face.
"You saved mine, more times than I could count. You hold me together, keep me grounded when everything else lashes at me. I can't do this without you."
"I think I'm done here," Noah interrupted. "Amazingly from what I can see it looks like there's no serious damage to her internal organs." Noah secured tape over a clean bandage.
"She's going to be okay," Rufus asked in wonder.
Wyatt felt a surge of emotion wash through him.
"She was shot," Noah chided. "I treated her in a warehouse in Oakland. Thank God I already know her medical history, but I have no blood work. She's-she's stable, but you need to get her to a hospital."
"Got it, doc. Soon as we can," Wyatt retorted.
"As soon as we-I think you gotta do better than that, actually. I have no idea what you got her into, but it's over. Whatever the hell you got going on with my fiancee is over. She might be delirious right now, but you are putting her life at risk and I won't stand for it. I have let her take time to figure out what she wants, but that time is over. She is coming with me. "
Wyatt tried not to snarl, "You have no say in what happens with her life."
"She's not going with you," Rufus snapped. "Who the hell do you think you are talking about? She walked away from you weeks ago. You don't get to come in here acting like she's your property and expect that we will just let you take her."
"What he said," Lucy mumbled. "I'm not going anywhere with you. Thank you for the help, but I think you need to leave."
"I'm not going to get any answers. And I'm not supposed to ask what the hell is going on. Your mother's been calling me in a panic. Nobody's heard from you in days. Then I get a late night call from some stranger who you are obviously sleeping with."
"Whoah! We are not sleeping together." Wyatt yelled.
"Hey don't sound so incredulous it could happen. We shared a bed once. Not that we did any sleeping with the bed squeaking and the giggling."
Rufus snorted, Wyatt smirked and Noah turned beet red.
"Lucy, I think you need to get some rest before you say anything more incriminating," Rufus suggested.
"I'm sorry, Nolan. I think you need to leave," Lucy slurred.
"Nolan?! What the hell happened to you!? It's like one day you woke up and my fiancee was gone, replaced with this stranger. I don't even know you anymore."
"I'm sorry, but you are right. I am not the woman that you know. I cannot explain it, but I am sorry."
"It's because of him!" Noah roared.
"Watch your tone of voice, Doc, I won't let you talk to her that way," Wyatt coldly warned.
"She is my Fiancee, I'll talk to her anyway I want to."
"Wyatt, don't," Lucy held onto his arm, restraining him from jumping the table.
"I won't allow it Lucy, this dick might have saved your life, but he has no say in how you live it and he sure as hell is going to respect you," Wyatt exploded.
"He's right, Lucy," Rufus added. "Sorry doc time to go."
"Stop saying sorry, I'm not leaving without answers," Noah argued.
"You want answers! I'll give you answers. I'm in love with Wyatt. I could never be with you, even if nothing happens with us, because I don't want anyone else. I am not the woman you knew. She is gone! This is who I am now and that person loves him. I am sorry if that hurts you, kind of. They are right you are being a bit of a dick."
Noah's face was flush with anger, his eyes wide.
"It's not supposed to be this way," his voice dangerously low.
"Doc, you are trying my patience and making me angry." Wyatt stepped away from the table.
"You will not like him when he is angry," Rufus jeered.
Lucy snorted, "incredible."
"Are you seriously leaving me for these two idiots!?" Noah ranted.
"Yes, they are my idiots." Lucy smiled.
"Hey!" Rufus called out. "Alright we might have deserved that."
Noah pulled out his phone, "I'm calling your mother."
"Seriously, bro, take the hint, you're no longer needed or wanted here. Calling her mom won't change that," Rufus scoffed.
"She needs to be told where you are so she can take care of you and these two."
"You're not calling anyone."
Wyatt moved before Noah could register. He slapped the phone from his hand and threw a right hook to Noah's nose. It was satisfying, hearing the crunch and seeing the blood gush from his nose. Noah slumped to the ground at his feet. Wyatt was surprised he held out as long as he did. The guy had been asking for it since he arrived.
"I'm surprised you waited so long," Rufus echoed his thoughts.
"Me too," added Lucy.
"What do we do with him now?" Rufus wondered. "The lifeboat can't jump for another three hours. Tie him up, leave his phone on so he can be found later."
Rufus left to looked around the warehouse and find some rope.
Wyatt looked at Lucy, her skin was dry and color was coming back. She wasn't ready to sit up yet, but she was watching him. She looked sad and nervous. He walked over to her and took her hand.
"I think you and I need to have a very long talk."
Lucy closed her eyes and sighed, "I know."
A single tear slid down her face, Wyatt wiped it away with his thumb.
"Are you in a lot of pain?"
"Numb, mostly, but I'll be okay don't worry about me."
Wyatt snorted and shook his head, "That is never going to happen, I am always going to worry about you."
"You don't have to, I can take care of myself."
"I know you can, but that doesn't mean that I am not going to be right beside you every step of the way."
"Wyatt, you don't have to do this. I know what I said and it doesn't have to change anything. I'm not expecting you to-to..." She swallowed roughly and turned her head away from him. "I'm not expecting anything."
"And what if I'm expecting something? What if I want things to change? What if things already have changed?"
Lucy slowly rolled her head back to him her eyes wide.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that losing you is not an option. I mean that I will always be by your side. That I'm not going anywhere."
"Oh, of course, I know that. We are a team, we're stuck in this together."
Lucy closed her eyes, she pulled her hand away and tucked it under the blanket that covered her.
"I have only done this one other time and I messed it up. I didn't know how to tell her everyday how much she meant to me, how much I needed her."
"I'm sorry about Jessica."
"Part of me will always love Jessica, but I can't live in the past anymore. I need to start living in present and I'd like to explore what those possibilities could be with you."
"With me?" she yelped.
"Next time you say you love me, do you think you can tell me first? Kind of takes away all the fun when you're yelling it to another guy." Wyatt smirked at the shocked look on her face.
"Next time?"
"Unless you don't really love me." Wyatt brushed his fingers over her face, down her cheek, over her nose.
"No-No I do, I really do."
"Good, 'cause I've been falling in love with you since 1836 no matter how hard I tried to stop it."
"Don't stop, please never stop."
Wyatt leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. She let out a soft sigh and relaxed under his touch. He felt warmth spread along his skin and tingle down his spine. He felt as if he was coming home.
"Uhh guys, Doctor Dick is gone. Good news is I have his keys and phone. He won't be calling for help just yet and a white guy in the west end of Oakland might not get the kind of help he needs."
Rufus was turned from them, nervously tugging on his yellow sweater. They only had a little bit time before Rittenhouse found them. Jiya and Agent Christopher were on their way. They had to stop Flynn, take down Rittenhouse and get Amy back.
"This conversation isn't over yet," Wyatt told Lucy.
He was glad to see the blush on her face as she brush fingers over her lips.
"I think it is just getting started."