Him IV
Their morning started out fairly uneventfully. Luckily, Wyatt had set the alarm on his phone for 5:00 a.m. sharp because Lucy had apparently forgotten (she must have been distracted last night, his masculine pride helpfully pointed out). Swinging his legs over the edge of the roll away, Wyatt glanced over at the bed where a small Lucy-sized bump was curled up under the thick covers. He still couldn't believe he kissed her last night and involuntarily grinned at the memory of Lucy's sassy declaration that maybe she took advantage of him. Not likely, but he secretly admired her attitude.
Crossing the room to stand beside her bed, Wyatt couldn't help but notice that not all of Lucy was tucked under the covers. One of her camisole straps must have slipped while she was sleeping, leaving a pale shoulder bare. Although his fingers itched to touch her creamy skin, Wyatt settled for leaning down and murmuring, "Lucy, it's time to wake up now." Nothing. She didn't move a muscle. Crouching down beside her, he ran a gentle finger down Lucy's soft cheek and said a little louder, "Lucy, wake up."
A heartbeat later, she blinked open dark amber eyes, and favored him with a drowsy smile that did funny things to his heart. Sleepy Lucy was very sweet. "Wyatt? Is it time to get up already?" she whispered. Swallowing hard, he husked, "Yeah, I know it's really early, but we have to be at the studio by 6:30. The car service will be here in an hour. You can take the bathroom first, okay?"
Lucy smiled her thanks and without warning flung the covers back and sat up, stretching her limbs sinuously. Wyatt stood and hastily averted his eyes, but not without catching a glimpse of long bare legs. Was it warm in here? He escaped to his side of the room and deliberately keeping his back turned, busied himself with digging through his duffle for something to wear. Several (prolonged) minutes later, the sound of Lucy rustling through her suitcase was followed by the soft snick of the bathroom door closing, and Wyatt sat down heavily on the side of the bed, scrubbing his hands over his face. This week was going to be interminable if the past ten minutes was any indication.
To her credit, Lucy didn't dawdle in the bathroom, emerging twenty minutes later looking very pretty in a dark red sleeveless top and slim black pants. "I thought since we don't have much time, I could finish out here so you can get your shower, alright?" she offered in a breathless tone, taking a seat at the table and opening up a small toiletry bag.
Wyatt drained the rest of his coffee, courtesy of the mini Keurig machine, and set his phone on the table after he'd taken a couple minutes to check his emails while she was getting ready. "Thanks, appreciate that," he managed before snatching up his things and ducking into the bathroom, where the scent of her body wash or perfume or something still hung in the air. Closing his eyes, Wyatt inhaled deeply. Oh, yeah, definitely gonna be a tough week. By the time he finished his not-very-warm shower and walked out of the bathroom, Lucy was just fastening her earrings. She had added a colorful scarf and fixed her glossy black hair in soft waves, and looked very attractive. "You look really nice," he observed, earning a shy smile from Lucy.
Just as he retrieved his gun and holster from the room safe, Wyatt's phone rang with a call from the front desk to let them know their car was waiting. While Lucy retrieved a thin cardigan from her suitcase and picked up her bag and a cup of coffee, Wyatt grabbed his jacket and made sure he had his phone and key card before following her down the deserted hallway to the elevator. Lucy was rather quiet on the ride to the studio, but he assumed she was mentally preparing herself for the live interview.
Once they arrived at their destination and the driver promised to return to pick them up in a couple hours, Wyatt escorted Lucy inside, and within minutes they were being ushered into the show's "green room" by a (much too cheerful for this early in the morning) production assistant. A table along one wall offered up a variety of food such as pastries and fresh fruit, but Lucy shook her head, claiming pre-interview nerves. Not beset by such emotions, Wyatt helped himself to a bagel, some fruit, and another cup of coffee. He sat beside Lucy, idly watching her scroll through her phone while he ate, eventually noticing the faint tremor in her fingers.
Setting the rest of his breakfast down on the low table in front of them, Wyatt put his hand on her arm and asked, "Hey, are you okay? Anything you want to talk about?"
Not surprisingly, without looking up from her phone, Lucy shot him a rather unconvincing smile and replied, "Thanks, but not necessary-I'm fine."
No, ma'am–not buying it. Gently squeezing her arm, he observed, "Lucy, you don't seem fine. Are you nervous about the interview being live? Or is it something else?"
Her slender hands stilled on the phone, and she sighed in resignation before confessing, "It's not the interview that's bothering me. I guess I'm just a little worried about my special 'fan' finding me here in LA. It was different doing the press stuff when I was in New York, when I wasn't aware of what was going on–all I had to think about was making sure my makeup looked alright and that I sounded fairly coherent, but now..."
Lucy's elegant dark brows drew together, and she looked so distressed Wyatt wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tugging her close, murmured, "I know this stalker situation is pretty scary, but I promise you, Lucy, I will keep you safe. And while I know that you have an obligation to fulfill these media appearances, if you say the word, we're out of here," and he waited calmly for her to digest his offer.
Lucy's slight hesitation betrayed just how tempted (and concerned) she was, but to her credit, mere seconds later, shook her head. "Thank you, Wyatt, you have no idea how much I appreciate that. But I made some promises, too, and I intend to keep them. This person, this disturbed, obsessed stalker person, is not going to dictate how I live my life. I feel pretty sure that with you looking out for me, I'll get through this," and the absolute belief shining in Lucy's soft brown eyes truly humbled Wyatt. She trusted him, and no way was he going to let her down.
Without warning, the door opened, and the perky assistant from before popped her head inside the door, "Dr. Preston, they're ready for you in Hair and Makeup, if you'll come with me?"
After giving her shoulder a quick squeeze, Wyatt dropped his arm. Lucy stood and stashed the phone in her bag before squaring her narrow shoulders and heading for the door. Just as she reached the doorway, Wyatt called her name. "Lucy?" When she turned, a quizzical expression on her face, he stared into her eyes and promised, "You got this–you're gonna be great," pleased when she blushed and nodded solemnly before disappearing down the hallway.
It was Wyatt's turn to blush when he overheard the assistant's enthusiastic comment to Lucy as they walked away. "Oh my gosh, Dr. Preston, is that your boyfriend? You're a lucky woman–he's hot." Well. He probably should've expected something like this. How else to explain his presence by Lucy's side 24/7 this week if, for security reasons, the fact that she had hired him to protect her needed to remain private? Better (safer) to let everyone Lucy interacted with this week outside her inner circle just assume they were involved. Funny how that concept was rather appealing...not practical, of course, because they only met yesterday and lived around 500 miles apart, but still...
Maybe five minutes later, the door opened and an older woman greeted Wyatt pleasantly, "Are you here with Dr. Preston?" When he stood and responded affirmatively, she held out her hand and introduced herself as Sarah Kingman, executive producer of the morning show.
"Wyatt Logan," he answered, shaking hands. He listened attentively while Ms. Kingman went over the details of Lucy's appearance, which would last approximately seven minutes. Since she would be escorted from Hair and Makeup straight to the set, Wyatt was given the choice of remaining in the green room or watching the interview from just off camera. Naturally, it seemed prudent to keep as close an eye on Lucy as possible, and after accompanying the executive producer to the set, was shown to a chair off to one side where he would be able to see and hear everything.
A few minutes later, Wyatt felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Lucy holding out her bag and cardigan, "Hey, there you are. I wasn't sure if they would make you stay in the green room or not. Will you hold these for me?" she requested, with a hesitant smile.
Willingly taking her things, he was glad to see Lucy looked fairly calm. Still, it was better to be sure. "All ready, then?" Wyatt asked lightly, with an assessing look.
She nodded firmly and with a brief squeeze of his arm, turned and walked on the set. While the weather girl was going over the forecast for the next week on the other side of the studio, Lucy took a seat and sat calmly while a sound tech fixed her microphone. And then just minutes later, it was go time. Wyatt was transfixed as, flashing the cameras a charming smile, Lucy flat out went for it and for seven minutes, just owned the whole damn interview. She was amazing–confident, well-spoken, and so mesmerizing, he couldn't take his eyes off her. A quick glance around him revealed everyone in the studio watching Lucy intently as well. The professor had all of them eating out of the palm of her small hand.
And then the wheels came off the wagon...Lucy and the male anchor were discussing the possibility of her writing a sequel to Diary of a Reluctant Time Traveler when the female anchor winked at the camera before asking about the novel's male protagonist. With a knowing smirk, the woman leaned towards Lucy and confided, "I was informed right before this segment that not only is your boyfriend the real-life inspiration for the character of Deacon Marlow, he accompanied you here today and in fact, is sitting in the studio watching just to offer you moral support. I think that is so sweet!"
The hell? Where had that come from? Wyatt ignored the avid glances of the studio crew around him and focused on Lucy. He was relieved when, aside from two spots of rosy color appearing on her suddenly pale face and slightly widened eyes, she kept her composure without betraying her stunned surprise at being ambushed on live television. Flashing the anchor a brittle smile, Lucy merely chuckled and shaking her head, joked, "Now, you know I can't give away all my secrets, especially this early in the morning," and thankfully, time ran out and that was the end of the interview.
Wyatt stood abruptly, impatient to get to Lucy, but unfortunately, it was a couple minutes until she was free to leave. When the show finally went to commercial, once the sound tech came forward to remove her microphone, Lucy smiled and graciously shook hands with both anchors before turning in his direction. He let her come to him, and wordlessly handed Lucy her cardigan and bag, waiting until she was ready before he took her cold hand in his. "All set, Professor?" he asked quietly, and at her jerky nod, escorted Lucy out of the studio and down the hallway to the lobby to await their ride.
Sitting off to themselves in the busy lobby, they waited in silence a few minutes until Lucy whispered hoarsely, her hand tightening compulsively on his, "Wyatt, I'm so sorry. I never told anyone you were my boyfriend, I swear, I would never do that...I mean, we just met, and I suppose they all just assumed since you came with me this morning that we're together or dating or something..."
She looked so anxious, Wyatt wanted nothing more than to take Lucy in his arms and comfort her, but considering they were in a very public place, he tamped down the impulse and settled for putting her mind at ease. Squeezing her hand, Wyatt gazed into Lucy's worried eyes and said, "Hey, it's okay, I know you didn't say anything. Sometimes people tend to see what they want to see, and when a beautiful single woman like yourself suddenly has a man at her side, well, naturally, they're gonna jump to what they think is the obvious conclusion," and when she continued to stare at him uncertainly, Wyatt gently teased, "Now, Lucy, if you don't quit fussing, you're gonna make me think I'm too hideous or something to be your boyfriend, and well, to be honest, that just hurts my sensitive feelings," sticking out his lower lip just a little for dramatic effect.
He was rewarded for his efforts when Lucy grinned suddenly and retorted, "Well, heaven knows I wouldn't want to offend your sensibilities, Mr. Logan," and when Wyatt laughed, she looked absurdly pleased with herself.
"Damn right, Dr. Preston," and pulling his phone out, he checked her itinerary and since they had a couple of hours before they needed to head over to her first book signing of the week, suggested they grab some breakfast. She readily agreed, and just then, he looked out the front window and saw their driver pull up. Tugging Lucy to her feet, Wyatt guided her to the waiting SUV, and once they were settled in the back seat, asked the driver if he knew a nice place to eat that was near the Barnes & Noble on West Third in Beverly Hills.
Less than an hour later, they were seated under a shady awning at a place called Joan's enjoying a relaxed breakfast. Wyatt could find no fault with the driver's recommendation, and Lucy was pleased also. "This was a great idea, Wyatt," she praised, "especially since my book signing starts at noon, and it's going to be a while until lunch," digging into her French toast with gusto.
"For a little slip of a female, the professor certainly enjoyed her food," he mused, wondering absently where she put it all. Taking a sip of his coffee, Wyatt requested that she fill him in on how book signings were usually handled. Normally not a fan of big surprises, especially not on the job, he liked to know what to expect whenever possible. He waited patiently in silence while Lucy finished one last bite and wiped her mouth before setting the napkin down with a sigh.
"That was just delicious, and should definitely hold me until later on this afternoon," she admitted, grinning mischievously, "After all, signing books and posing for pictures is such arduous work." Sipping her own coffee, Lucy beamed at Wyatt, and she looked so happy and comfortable, it seemed to Wyatt as if they'd known each for a long time. He had never experienced anything like this with another woman, and was at a loss to explain it. "Wyatt? Did you hear what I said? You look a little distracted," she observed, frowning slightly.
Feeling his face warm at being caught daydreaming, Wyatt apologized, and listened carefully as Lucy explained, "It's pretty simple, really. People purchase a copy of the book and get in line to meet the author-well, in this case, me. Usually there's a table all set up with copies of the book displayed, and when you're a big-time author, sometime's there's cool things like life-size cutouts, and I've seen a few book stores even give away book markers and pens, etc., all advertising the new book."
Wyatt took a minute to consider the possible security risks involved before asking Lucy if she'd ever noticed anyone or anything out of the ordinary or disturbing at any of her previous book signings. She shook her head, and with a vaguely embarrassed shrug, answered, "No, not at all, although to be honest, today is only the third signing I've ever participated in because my first two novels didn't sell that many copies. Anyway, depending on how long the appearance is supposed to last, at least once an hour, I get a 15 minute break, so for example, a three-hour signing usually runs an extra half hour if you include the breaks."
That actually didn't sound too bad, although naturally, with strangers coming in off the street and meeting Lucy face to face, Wyatt would need to remain vigilant. He'd just have to make sure the set up was secure for her before letting the signing get underway. Taking careful note of the time, he realized they could sit and relax a few more minutes before leaving for the book store.
Something the female anchor had said to Lucy during the segment was nagging at him, probably nothing, but now he was curious. Taking a deep breath, Wyatt questioned why the studio employees thought her book character was based on him. After all, regardless of what the perception was, they only met for the first time yesterday, and Lucy had finished the book weeks ago.
He immediately felt terrible when Lucy gasped and choked on her coffee. Probably should have kept your mouth shut, Logan. "Lucy? Are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, just forget I asked," and instinctively reaching his hand across the table, Wyatt watched in concern while she caught her breath and wiped the corner of each eye.
"No, it's alright," Lucy wheezed, the crimson hue gradually fading from her face as she tried to take a few deep breaths. Cautiously taking a sip of water, she coughed a couple times to clear her throat. "Like an idiot, I just assumed you'd already read the book, and since you didn't say anything, really hadn't made any connection between you and Deacon Marlow, at least not like the interviewer had. Um, see, and jeez, this is a little embarrassing, and I assure you, a complete coincidence, but he's not only a soldier in his '30's, but might have black hair and blue eyes, which, and this is just so weird, sounds a little bit like you–funny, right?" and smiled uneasily at him before burying her face in her hands.
Wyatt's brows drew together as he tried to comprehend Lucy's explanation. She wasn't wrong-it really was weird that without ever meeting him, she had created a character similar to him. But it was certainly nothing more than a hell of a coincidence, just as she claimed. Wyatt grinned when she started muttering to herself. He had to give the woman credit–Lucy was proving to be quite entertaining to be around.
"Okay, how about we forget I asked? And since I probably owe you an apology for not reading your book, seeing as how you're my client and all, why don't we call it even?" Wyatt coaxed encouragingly, relieved when she peeked shyly at him and then nodded hesitantly. Leaving some cash on the table for the server, he stood and pulled back Lucy's chair. "C'mon, famous author lady, time for you to earn that breakfast you just enjoyed so much."
The next four hours flew by, and by the time the last satisfied fan walked out of the book store, Wyatt was thoroughly impressed. Not only had Lucy been friendly and welcoming to every single person who waited in line to meet her, she would invariably spend a minute or two chatting with them or posing for pictures. She was so popular, in fact, that about a half hour before the thing was scheduled to be over, the book store manager had pulled him aside and informed Wyatt that there was still a long line of people waiting, and did he think Dr. Preston might consider staying a little longer? Of course, she would, and did, despite taking only two fifteen-minute breaks in four hours.
A rather pale Lucy said little on the ride back to the Four Seasons, and yawned widely several times. She was fairly drooping with weariness, and seemed grateful when Wyatt suggested ordering in for dinner a little later, maybe sandwiches or a pizza. Once inside the room, she dropped her bag and sweater on the dresser and stretched out face first on the bed, instantly falling asleep. Wyatt stood gazing down at Lucy for a moment before gently removing her shoes (was this getting to be a thing with them?) and carefully tucking a blanket around her slumbering form. The professor had definitely earned a little shut eye, he decided, and he could find plenty to occupy his time while she rested.
As he listened to the quiet sound of her breathing, Wyatt was taken aback at the realization that he and Lucy had been strangers just a little over twenty-four hours ago. The more time he spent with Lucy Preston, the more he liked her, and although he really couldn't explain what that meant, Wyatt already knew it was going to be hard to say goodbye at the end of his assignment...
A/N: Dang it, I think I got carried away again...I have GOT to start writing more than one day's events in each pair of chapters or I will never get this story finished, lol :p Hope everyone is still enjoying this little AU, it really is a lot of fun to write. My sincere appreciation to all the favorites, follows, and awesome reviews from all my Timeless friends :))
