Chapter 40

A/N #1: In real life, the Pediatrics Department at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton is actually located on the second floor, but for purposes of this chapter, I moved it to the fourth floor :)

Despite trying her best to stay awake and watch over Jamie until Wyatt arrived, the emotional and physical stress her mind and body had suffered eventually wore Lucy down. Unfortunately, though, not long after she closed her eyes, the vivid nightmares began. In horrific slow motion, the frightening accident played out in sharp-edged fragments over and over again...

Waiting at the red light, glancing over her shoulder at Jamie holding up the phone with a proud grin...

Lucy starting forward when the traffic light turned green, only to see out of the corner of her eye a white pickup heading straight at them...

Her stunned disbelief when the truck seemed to be going much too fast to stop safely...

In the split second before the speeding pickup rammed her car, Lucy instinctively reaching back for Jamie, yelling at him to put his head down...

Grabbing onto the tips of his small fingers a split second before the two vehicles collided with a loud roar of grinding metal...

Her car caving inward on the passenger side from the sheer force of the impact, instantly showering glass shards over the two of them...

The chilling sound of Jamie's high-pitched scream when she lost her grip on him...

Lucy's head snapping back hard against the headrest, the dull ringing in her ears eclipsing the sting of tiny, shallow cuts on her exposed face and hands from the broken glass...

The heart-stopping sight of the little boy lying half out of his booster seat, unconscious and slumped sideways against the door, blood dripping from his tiny nose...

"No, please, Jamie, wake up," Lucy cried out as a wave of fear and helplessness swept over her...

Firmly caught in the nightmare's tenacious grip, she whimpered softly and moved restlessly under the thin hospital blanket, unconsciously tightening her arm around the sleeping child nestled securely against her left side. "Miss Preston?" Lucy's eyes snapped open at the kind voice accompanied by a hand soothingly patting her leg. Heart racing wildly, she blinked in shock at the redhead dressed in cheerful Minnie Mouse scrubs standing beside the hospital bed watching her with concern. "Miss Preston? Are you alright?"

Awkwardly reaching up with her bound arm to wipe away the embarrassing tears she'd been crying in her sleep, Lucy shifted carefully in the bed to avoid disturbing a napping Jamie, wincing at the lingering pain in her right shoulder. She'd been dreaming about the accident...one long, continuous loop of a vicious nightmare where the five-year-old had been seriously injured and wouldn't (or couldn't) wake up. Shivering, she kissed his messy blond hair, grateful it was only a bad dream. "Um, yes...I'm fine...sorry," she mumbled, clearing her throat and forcing herself to focus on the nurse's inquiry. And that was definitely a big, fat lie-because right now? Lucy Preston was many things–scared, hurting, worried about Jamie's condition, aching to see Wyatt–but fine she was not.

Aside from a searching glance, thankfully, the nurse didn't press the issue. "Well, if you're sure." Deftly slipping a blood pressure cuff up Lucy's arm, she introduced herself, "My name is Laura, and I'll be looking after you and this little guy the rest of the day. Someone might've already told you this earlier, but as a reminder, with even a mild concussion, Jamie will need to be awakened every two hours for the next 24, so we can let him continue sleeping for only another hour or so. As for you, Miss Preston, I only need a couple minutes here to check your vitals and then you can go back to sleep if you feel like it." What she wanted, no, what she needed, was Wyatt...where was he?

Biting her lower lip in agitation, she tried to remain calm, waiting until the nurse was finished before asking anxiously, "Please, can you tell me if anyone was able to contact Jamie's father? His name is Wyatt Logan, and he's a training instructor at Camp Pendleton. As far as I know, he went to the base this morning, and may possibly still be there. In the ambulance, the EMT was going to have his dispatcher radio over there and try and find him because I couldn't remember his cell number and my phone is still somewhere in my wrecked car."

Even thinking about the (probably) totaled condition of her car–coupled with the sickening realization of how close to dying she and Jamie had come-made Lucy tremble and her eyes well up again. She really needed to get a grip. It wasn't very brave of her, but she wanted Wyatt and the comfort of his strong arms around her so badly. After Laura smiled sympathetically and promised to check at the Nurses Station for any word on him, Lucy obediently swallowed the pain pill she was offered. Lying back and cuddling Jamie close, she closed her eyes and lay quietly, confident Wyatt would walk through the door any minute...

Hurrying through the sliding double doors of the Naval Hospital's Emergency entrance, Wyatt stopped and briefly scanned his surroundings. Despite its close proximity to Pendleton, he actually wasn't too familiar with this facility. Probably the last time he'd visited was when Julie gave birth to Sadie three years ago–a much happier reason than the one that brought him here today, he thought idly. Finally spotting a sign for the Information Desk located just past a crowded waiting area, Wyatt groaned mentally at the handful of people already standing in line as he approached the desk, struggling to keep his rising impatience to find Lucy and Jamie in check.

Pulling his phone out (and making a mental note to thank Bam for retrieving it from his Jeep), Wyatt tapped the screen and tried to call Lucy. Even though he knew deep down it was a long shot she'd answer, he couldn't help but growl under his breath in frustration when her pleasant voice mail message picked up on the fourth ring, barely resisting the urge to throw it against the wall. Not helping, Logan...take a breath and calm down, Wyatt warned himself before noticing a new text message from Julie:

I hope it didn't take Dave long to track you down at the cemetery. Did you find out yet if Lucy and Jamie are alright? I'm so sorry this happened, Wy. Trying hard not to panic (and I'm sure you feel even worse). Just wanted to let you know that as soon as Mom and Dad get here to watch the girls, I'm on my way to the hospital..See you soon...

Absently stepping forward as the line in front of him moved at an excruciatingly slow pace, Wyatt quickly responded:

Thanks, Julie, I appreciate that and your folks helping out, too. Please tell them I said thanks. No, I'm stuck waiting in line at the ER Information Desk and it's moving pretty slow...

Which is probably NOT helping your fear (and temper). Hang in there–Lucy and Jamie need you to be strong for them, not only today, but in the days to come, ok? :/ Oh, hey, Mom and Dad just got here, so I will see you in about 15 minutes. Tell Dave for me, please? Love ya, Wy

After hastily responding, K, love you too, and sliding the phone back into his pocket-thankfully for Wyatt's sanity-it was only a couple more minutes before it was his turn. "Can I help you, sir?" a silver-haired woman with glasses asked politely while the man beside her patiently answered the constantly ringing phone.

Trying to remain calm, Wyatt gripped the edge of the counter with shaking hands and replied tightly, "Yes, Ma'am, my son and girlfriend were in a car accident and brought here by ambulance a little while ago and I need to find them. Please, can you help me?" So wound up, he hardly noticed at first that Bam had come in and was standing at his elbow.

"Certainly, sir. Can you give me their names, and yours, too?" the woman asked kindly, gazing up at the two men expectantly, hands poised over her computer keyboard.

"Yes, Ma'am, my name is Wyatt Logan and their names are Lucy Preston and Jamie, uh, James Logan. Please, my son is only five years old." he pleaded. After typing rapidly for a few seconds, the hospital volunteer glanced up at Wyatt and Bam.

"Alright then, Mr. Logan, here we are. James Logan, age 5, and Lucy Preston, age 30, were admitted around an hour ago...let me see now...I don't see two room numbers listed, only the single one up in Pediatrics, so it's likely Ms. Preston chose to remain with your son in his room–most mommies do when their little ones are injured. Unfortunately, Mr. Logan, and I apologize in advance, but before I'm permitted to give you that room number up on the fourth floor, the hospital will need to see proof of your insurance, plus there are a couple forms that require your signature."

Staring at the woman in disbelief, Wyatt could feel the little patience he possessed at the moment fading fast. Was she freaking kidding him? Lucy and Jamie had been hurt-possibly seriously–and were lying in a room somewhere in this damn hospital...and he needed to see them now. Luckily, before Wyatt lost his temper and did something reckless (like maybe getting himself kicked out of the place), Bam stepped forward and leaning in, murmured confidently, "I got this, son, just give me your medical card."

By the time he yanked the card from his wallet and thrust it into Bam's hand with a muttered thanks, I owe you one, his best friend had already discreetly pushed Wyatt aside and was standing at the counter wearing an ingratiating smile. Seconds later, after laying on the charm and promising the blushing volunteer that, "Yes, Ma'am, Mr. Logan would absolutely return to sign the admission paperwork a little later today," Bam was as good as his word, actually managing to finesse Jamie's room number out of the woman. Damn, but Dave Baumgardner could be a smooth-talking bastard when he wanted to be, Wyatt decided in admiration.

"Excuse me, Ma'am, but did you say James Logan was in Room 427?" he said loudly out of the side of his mouth with a wink, grunting when Wyatt smacked him on the back in gratitude before heading down the hall towards the nearest row of elevators. A man on a mission, he barely acknowledged Bam calling out behind him, "Yeah, okay, I'll just wait here for Jules...good luck, Wy."

Anxiously pushing the "up" button for all three cars–possibly a few times more than was strictly necessary–Wyatt was dimly aware that judging by a few of the curious glances from people around him waiting on the elevators also, he was probably acting like a crazy man...like he even gave a damn. Not when there were still three floors of hospital between him and his son and girlfriend. The seconds ticked by sluggishly, and just as Wyatt was seriously considering finding the nearest stairwell, at last, one of the maddeningly slow elevators descended to a halt with a loud ding, its doors sliding open smoothly to discharge several passengers.

Curbing his growing impatience, he forced himself to wait until the people standing in front of him got on, and while the car was nearly full, thankfully, there was just enough room for him on this trip. After pushing the button for the fourth floor, Wyatt squeezed in behind an older couple and a woman in her '20's (if he had to guess) holding a dark-haired little girl maybe a bit younger than Sadie.

Lost in his own thoughts as the elevator climbed steadily upward, at first he didn't notice the toddler in front of him turn her head to eye Wyatt curiously. "Hi, man," she chirped with a clumsy little wave, batting her long lashes at him rather flirtatiously. Glancing up, he couldn't help but smile slightly in return, amused when she ducked her head against her mother's neck and peeked at him shyly. She sure was a cute little thing, all big dark eyes and curly hair, Wyatt mused, gradually noticing the child's faint resemblance to a certain brunette he knew and loved. "Hi, yourself," he answered lightly, entertained in spite of his pervasive worry for Jamie and Lucy when the excited toddler's eyes lit up.

Maybe one day, he and Lucy would be lucky enough to have a sweet little daughter like that, Wyatt thought wistfully. He imagined Jamie would enjoy having a little brother or sister, considering how close he was to Annie and Sadie. When the little girl squirmed in her mother's arms as she continued to watch Wyatt in fascination, the young woman turned around with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry, Olivia seems to be drawn to men with dark hair like her Daddy, especially if they have blue eyes like yours."

Shaking his head in response, Wyatt easily returned the woman's smile. "She's fine, no apology necessary. How old is your daughter?" They chatted casually during the brief ride between the lobby and his destination. By the time the elevator finally came to a stop on the Pediatrics floor, he learned little Olivia was 2 ½ and her father was a Marine stationed at Pendleton. Excusing himself politely, Wyatt moved to the front of the elevator when the door slid open, turning around to grin and wave goodbye when the friendly toddler squeaked after him, "Bye, man."

Carefully checking a sign on the wall beside the elevator for the list of room numbers, he followed the directional arrows, turning right and walking briskly down the thickly-carpeted hallway, weaving around the numerous visitors and hospital personnel he encountered. Room 423...424...425...426... Stopping in front of Room 427, Wyatt took a deep breath before cautiously pushing open the partially closed door and coming to an abrupt halt at the sight before him.

As the woman at the Information Desk downstairs had surmised, Lucy was not only here in the same room as Jamie, but unsurprisingly (at least to Wyatt), had curled herself protectively around him while they both slept in the big hospital bed. He had no doubt whatsoever that, even injured, Lucy had done everything she could to take care of his child. A tremendous wave of love and concern swept over Wyatt as he slowly approached Jamie's side of the bed. Running a gentle hand over the wispy blond hair, he grimaced at the good-sized neon green bandage on the little boy's forehead, along with a couple of small cuts on his wan cheeks.

Wyatt swallowed hard. In a loose-fitting SpongeBob print hospital gown, Jamie looked vulnerable and much younger than five years old lying there. Thank God Lucy had been with him, he thought gratefully once more. Every protective instinct Wyatt possessed yearned to gather his child in his arms and hold him close for maybe the rest of Jamie's life–or at least until the little guy turned 18. Instead, leaning over the bed, he tenderly kissed the top of the boy's head and whispered, "Sleep easy, little man. Daddy's here now," watching the peaceful rise and fall of his small chest for a long moment before straightening up and moving around to the other side of the bed.

Like Jamie, Lucy's pale complexion was also marred by several cuts, including one on her right cheek covered by a large bandage. If Wyatt had to guess, depending on how hard the truck had slammed into them, it seemed likely the small car's windows shattered on impact, throwing dangerous glass shards at its two passengers. Shivering at the distressing mental image, he bent down and ran a gentle finger along her soft cheek, murmuring, "I'm so sorry this happened, sweetheart, and thank you, because I know you did everything you could to keep Jamie safe."

Straightening up, Wyatt lovingly smoothed back her tangled raven curls, his dark brows drawing together when he noticed the cloth sling over her hospital gown binding Lucy's right arm to her chest. The hell? What happened to her arm? he wondered in dismay. Thank goodness a red-haired nurse around his own age entered the room just then carrying a tablet.

"Hello, there," she greeted Wyatt cheerfully. "My name is Laura, and I've been looking after Miss Preston and her son...would you happen to be this little guy's father? Miss Preston was wondering where you were," she noted, gazing at him expectantly. Purposefully ignoring the guilt starting to make itself known, Wyatt nodded in response when something the woman said struck him. Wait a minute–did the nurse just say 'her son'? Why does everyone in this hospital seem to think Lucy is Jamie's mother?

Setting aside that worrisome thought for now and fixing a polite smile on his face, Wyatt stepped away from the bed and offering the woman his hand, answered, "Yes, Ma'am, I'm Wyatt Logan, Jamie's dad, and Lucy is my girlfriend. Please, can you tell me what happened to them and what their present conditions are? I was told they were in a car accident, but that's the extent of it."

Walking over to the computer stand by the window, Laura logged in and quickly scrolled through the records. "You'll probably have to speak with the San Diego P.D. for an official report, but from the preliminary information gathered by the paramedic at the scene, apparently Ms. Preston was entering an intersection after the traffic light turned green, and her vehicle was hit by a truck running the red light at a dangerously high rate of speed. With an impact like that, it's a good thing she and your son were wearing seatbelts, or it could've been much worse," the redhead advised kindly, immediately noticing Wyatt's distressed reaction to her words.

Knees shaking, he sank into a chair beside the bed and stared at her in shock, speechless for the moment. How in God's name could the same kind of horrible car accident like the one that killed his wife have happened again to someone else he loved? Was he cursed? Hard to believe that when he woke this morning, Wyatt figured visiting the cemetery where Jessica was buried to get a few things off his chest would be the worst thing to happen to him this weekend. What a fool he'd been. Giving Wyatt a second first to take a breath, the nurse began to explain Lucy and Jamie's injuries.

"Aside from some cuts and bruises, it looks like your son took a fairly hard knock on the head that resulted in a mild concussion. He's being kept overnight for observation, and per protocol, we are waking him every two hours to monitor his vitals, and as long as everything looks good, it's likely he will be released sometime tomorrow. As for Ms. Preston, her right shoulder was dislocated during the accident but has since been popped back into place. It's not clear exactly how the dislocation happened. She also sustained several shallow cuts and bruises, but fortunately, neither patient needed stitches. The doctor has indicated on her chart that Ms. Preston should be released tomorrow also."

Exhaling in relief, he sat and watched in silence as the nurse carefully took Jamie's temperature and blood pressure, doing her best not to rouse him, since–as she helpfully informed Wyatt–they'd be waking him up in around thirty minutes anyway and the little fellow needed as much rest as possible to start the healing process. Rather selfishly, Wyatt wished Lucy wasn't sleeping at the moment, if only to reassure him herself she was okay. As Laura entered Jamie's information on the computer, his phone chimed softly.

Pulling the device from his pocket, he saw it was a text from Julie, who was probably already waiting downstairs with Bam. Without looking away from the computer screen, Laura informed him there was a small waiting room a couple doors down at the end of the hall if he needed some privacy. Wyatt looked longingly at the hospital bed, but knew his best friends were probably nervously waiting for news on Jamie and Lucy, and he should check in with them.

Stepping to her side of the bed, he settled for patting Lucy's slender hip lovingly before quietly thanking the nurse and slipping out of the room. Looking around, Wyatt spotted the open, airy waiting area at the end of the hall. He took a seat facing the doorway, texting Julie that Lucy and Jamie were both sleeping, but would likely be awake in less than an hour if she and Dave wanted to come upstairs and wait. A few minutes later, Wyatt was filling them in on the scant details about the accident Nurse Laura had shared with him, as well as Lucy and Jamie's conditions.

"Thank heavens, Wy, I was really worried," a wide-eyed Julie breathed, clutching his arm tightly. "I know what happened to them is scary enough, but my gosh, they are so lucky, because their injuries could've been a lot worse." Wyatt nodded in understanding, although a concussion and dislocated shoulder were not exactly minor injuries, and also considering the way Jessica was killed, he brooded silently, struggling with the faint stirrings of guilt already making his chest tight. Maybe there wouldn't have been an accident at all if he'd been with them...

Shaking his head, Bam interrupted Wyatt's troubled thoughts, echoing his wife's comment. "Damn, brother, a small car like the one Lucy owns, getting T-boned by a big-ass pickup like that? This is practically a miracle. I hope they nail the asshole who was behind the wheel of the truck for pulling a dangerous stunt like this," he declared emphatically with a worried frown.

Naturally, Wyatt was inclined to agree, but before he could voice that opinion, another nurse poked her head in the doorway and asked politely, "Wyatt Logan?" When he instantly stood, she smiled kindly and announced that Ms. Preston was awake and asking for him.

"Go ahead, we'll wait right here until it's alright to see them for a couple minutes," Julie assured Wyatt when he headed for the door. "Mom and Dad said they can stay with the girls until bedtime if we need them." Smiling his thanks, he hurried along the hallway, eager to see Lucy. She looked up in surprise when he slipped into the room.

"Wyatt? You're finally here?" Lucy whispered in wonder, a few tears slipping down her face as she reached for him with a trembling hand. Gently putting his arm around her narrow shoulders, he wordlessly drew her close, just so damn grateful she was going to be okay. Wyatt shut his eyes and breathed in the sweet fragrance of her soft hair under his chin.

"Shh, don't cry, Lucy. Everything's gonna be alright, I'm here now. While you were asleep, the nurse told me your shoulder was dislocated and Jamie has a mild concussion, but from the sound of it, your car was pretty messed up and you two could've been hurt so much worse. So we can at least be grateful for that. Are you in a lot of pain, sweetheart? I'm so sorry this happened, but you and Jamie are going to be just fine, and I'm not leaving your side until it's time to take you both home tomorrow." With his other hand, Wyatt gently swiped at her damp cheeks.

He smiled fondly when she relaxed against him. "Yeah, might not feel like it right this second, but I guess we were lucky. It definitely hurt terribly when the doctor popped my shoulder back into place, but the pain has leveled off some to a dull ache right now because the nice Nurse Laura has me on the good stuff. I also have this cool sling to wear for the new few weeks...so no funny business, soldier." Despite his lingering concern over her injury, Wyatt was relieved by her mischievous grin.

Stealing a quick kiss, he observed, "Yes, Ma'am, I promise to behave. Listen, if you're up for it, Bam and Julie are just down the hall in a waiting area. They've been awful worried and would like to see you and Jamie for a couple minutes before they go home." Satisfied with her easy agreement, Wyatt was reaching for his phone to text Julie when it occurred to him that there was someone missing. That seems odd-where was Amy?

"Actually, I'm kinda surprised your sister isn't here already, bossing the nurses around in between hovering over you," Wyatt teased. "Did you have someone call her?" Then he felt bad for kidding Lucy when she informed him Amy was in San Francisco with a couple of her girlfriends for the weekend.

"I do want to see Amy, but didn't want to ruin her trip. They've been planning it since Christmas, and besides, there's really nothing she could do except hang around our room and fret over us. No, even though she'll be mad as hell at first that I didn't tell her, I'm going to wait and give her a call tomorrow night after Jamie and I are released and get settled at home. Sorry, I'm rambling a little bit. Anyway, we were all alone after the accident until you got here, which was a little scary. So, in case you can't tell, I'm very glad you're here," she declared with a contented sigh. Wyatt winced inwardly when Lucy's innocent words inadvertently poked at his guilty conscience. Hadn't he done the very same thing to her?

He pushed that disquieting thought away. Now was not the time to upset Lucy, not when she was hurting and needed her rest, too. They were quiet for a couple more minutes, which suited him fine, since hopefully it wouldn't be too long before Nurse Laura came in to wake Jamie. Eventually, however, Lucy pulled away, and gazing up at Wyatt curiously, asked why it had taken so long for anyone to find him when she'd been told by the EMT that Pendleton was practically next door to the hospital. And that's when it all went to hell and back...

A/N #2: Yep, Wyatt's about to pay the price for keeping secrets from the woman he loves. Sorry, Timeless friends, for springing another cliffhanger on you so soon, but when this chapter just kept getting longer and longer, I decided to save Lucy and Wyatt's long-overdue, no holds barred conversation for the next update (although, if it helps a tiny bit, I already have over 1,000 words of chapter 41 written). Not many chapters left now to wrap up this story...my goal is by mid June, which will be about three years since I posted the first chapter. My sincere thanks to all of you still enjoying this story. Your support in the form of favorites, follows and especially reviews, is much appreciated :))