Author's Note: This takes place sometime after 2.7. For the purpose of this story, I'm embracing the premise that the clip of Jessica that Mason found on a reconstructed Rittenhouse hard drive means that she is in cahoots with Rittenhouse. The initial inspiration came from V_EvilRegal_'s Youtube video Falling Around You and the voice over from Spike (Buffy). I love the video and think it quite aptly portrays the relationship between Lucy and Wyatt but chose to have Rufus use Spike's words to deliver some tough love to Lucy. For those that are interested I highly recommend you check out this video.

Disclaimer: Sadly I own neither Timeless or Buffy. I'm just borrowing the characters for a short time.

You're Not Friends

It was past two am when Rufus strolled into the bunker's kitchen intent on getting a glass of water. What he found instead was Lucy. The petite historian had some large ancient tome open in front of her and an untouched cup of tea at her elbow. But rather than reading until her eyes crossed as Rufus would have expected, she had her head in her hands, brunette curls hiding her face from view, shoulders shaking with the force of her silent sobs. She was so upset she didn't notice when Rufus pulled a chair up next to her and sat down. It wasn't until he reached out and tentatively touched her shoulder that Lucy startled and raised tear drenched eyes to see who had disturbed her. Clearly, Rufus thought, she had been crying for quite a while.

"Lucy, hey, what's all this?"

When she just shrugged her shoulders he asked "Your latest fight with Wyatt?"

Rufus already knew the answer. Anyone that had been in the bunker that afternoon would know the answer. Well Wyatt probably wouldn't but that's because his head was currently so far up his ass it was a wonder he could see where he was going. Rufus' tolerance for his best friend was wearing rather thin.

The argument between Lucy and the hot headed soldier when they returned from their latest mission had been a spectacular one. From the second the lifeboat touched down in 1850 they had disagreed on everything. Somehow they had managed to hold together some level of professionalism while on the mission but the second the lifeboat landed back in the bunker the gloves were off. Rufus couldn't even remember what started it, not that it mattered, but he thought that this was the worst one to date and that was saying something. There had been a lot of arguments lately.

"Yeah. No use pretending. It's just that… whatever else, I thought Wyatt and I were friends. But now …"

Rufus pulled Lucy in for a quick hug before delivering the bad news. He might not be all that great with the relationship stuff, he made plenty of mistakes with Jiya, but even he knew the answer to this one.

"You're not friends."

"What?"

Lucy just stared at him. Her expression equal parts shock and hurt.

"Look Lucy, you and Wyatt, you'll never be friends. Even before Hollywood, almost from the beginning really, there was something between you. Jessica coming back got in the way but that something was still there."

"Yes but Jessica did come back Rufus. And Wyatt … well, we agreed to be friends"

Rufus let out a harsh laugh at Lucy's statement. He could see that she didn't understand so he tried to explain.

"Wyatt's in love with you Lucy. He might not have said it but he is. Has been for quite a while. Jessica coming back didn't change that and now that she's gone, well that's just confused things even more. And despite whatever messed up thing you've got going with Flynn -"

"But… "

"Trust me, he's in love with you."

"No, Wyatt cared about me, maybe still does …"

Rufus just held up a hand to silence whatever protest or argument she was about to make. In his opinion, Lucy needed to hear this.

Lucy sat back and crossed her arms, reluctantly prepared to listen.

"As I was saying, despite Flynn, I'm pretty sure you're still in love with Wyatt. The way things are going, you'll be in love till it kills you both."

"Rufus, love shouldn't feel like this."

He could hear the hurt in Lucy's voice. God, he wished Jiya was here. She was so much better at this sort of thing. Still, if any of them were to have peace this needed to be done. So Rufus manned up and prepared to say what needed to be said.

"Look, having Jessica back really messed with Wyatt. I think it was hard for him to realize that they were both different people and that his marriage wasn't quite what he remembered. Her betrayal just about sent him over the edge. And that's how he views your relationship, whatever it is, with Flynn. A betrayal."

"But that's just stupid. I know he's messed up about Jessica. I don't blame him. But my relationship with Garcia has nothing to do with Wyatt. He made his choice. What I do or don't do is none of Wyatt's business "

Lucy's tone grew in volume and anger as she went on. Rufus just held his hands up in surrender.

"Hey, I know and I agree up to a point. Thing is, Wyatt's not seeing things clearly right now. So you'll fight."

"Always have" Lucy states somewhat ruefully.

"Yeah, but not like this. It's not fair but I think you make a handy target for Wyatt's anger at Jessica and himself. Toss in Flynn and you get the shit-storm he's currently throwing your way. I doubt that will change until he works through this. Probably won't help, but Wyatt wouldn't be this mad if he didn't love you so much."

Lucy gives a snort of laughter and Rufus is shocked at the bitterness of her next words.

"It doesn't. "

"Figured. But if you're both not careful you'll end up hating each other till you quiver. Lovers or enemies Lucy, that's pretty much it, but you'll never be friends."

Rufus gave Lucy one last hug then walked away leaving Lucy to spend the rest of the night thinking about what he said. She knew he probably went back to Jiya, but Lucy couldn't help but wish that Rufus went off to find Wyatt and deliver the same verbal ass kicking that she just received.