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Hopeless Tasks and Fervent Prayers

Lucy-

Lucy determinedly maintained her cheerful demeanor as she rose from the bed and dressed. She didn't like the silence surrounding her and Flynn, but she wasn't sure what there was to say anyway. She was also afraid that if the silence was interrupted that her facade would crack. She assumed he knew this since he didn't say anything either. She realized that he must be aware how important it was to her that she keep her brave front up. In many ways, Flynn knew her almost as much as Amy had. It was simultaneously a comforting and frightening prospect.

Since Amy had been erased, Lucy had had no one to talk to, not truly. Last night with Flynn, just the talking alone, had been wonderful. It was the most relaxed she'd been in months. Her life was a continuous roller coaster these days and she'd felt like she was slowly suffocating. It'd been nice to have a genuine conversation with someone. The mind-blowing sex hadn't hurt either. She didn't think she'd ever had a partner make her feel as good as last night, Flynn was quite the lover. She blushed just thinking about it.

Lucy was so lost in her thoughts that she was once again aware of the problem she'd faced last night. Whereas the night before she couldn't undress alone, she now had the exact opposite problem, dressing without assistance was impossible. She walked to Flynn, who was just finished buttoning his shirt, holding her very much hated corset in place.

"Do you mind?" Lucy asked Flynn.

Flynn looked up at her, blinking slowly, as if he didn't understand what she was asking. She turned, making it clear what she needed. He didn't say a word, just went to work on tying her laces. Thankfully he was much gentler than the woman at the clothing shop and didn't lace them nearly as tightly as she had. She was grateful, as she wouldn't be as uncomfortable wearing the accursed thing. It truly was a torture device. If Lucy never had to wear another corset in her life it would be too soon. She figured that it would be futile to wish for that. There would more than likely be more trips to the past where they were necessary.

Maybe I can be a trendsetter and introduce fashion without a damned corset whenever the next trip when I'd need to wear one is, she thought with much amusement. With their luck, she assumed the next time would probably be in the 16th century and she could stop women wearing them five-hundred years sooner. Women everywhere would thank me!

When Flynn was done with her corset Lucy quickly stepped into the dress. She stood still as he worked on her numerous buttons. There really were too many! Next, she quickly donned her stockings, clasping her garters into place before working on her boots. She hated absolutely everything about this outfit. So many garments, buttons, and laces! Lucy knew she wasn't a sloppy dresser or anything, but this was just ridiculous. She'd take a sweater and jeans any day over all of this.

Walking to the mirror to fix her hair, Lucy couldn't deny that the ensemble did cut a nice figure. She studied her reflection as she brushed and pinned her hair again. It wasn't necessarily a style she would've chosen to wear everyday, but it did look pretty. Trying to find the positive side, she told herself to remember that she was actually experiencing history, not just re-enacting it, and how amazing that was. And that is pretty cool! she thought.

Flynn stood behind Lucy a bit to her left, looking into the mirror as he tied his tie. She turned, walking towards him. "You know I'm still going to try and stop you today, don't you?" she asked, straightening the tie for him.

Surprisingly, Flynn grinned. "I wouldn't have it any other way, my dear Lucy."

Lucy couldn't help but smile back. That was such a Flynn thing to say. Who else could find the humor in their situation. Wyatt certainly wouldn't if it were him. Lucy felt a little guilt at the thought of Wyatt. Despite the change in her relationship with Flynn, she missed not only Wyatt, but everyone else as well. She was well aware that she'd been taken against her will and was essentially being held prisoner. Lucy truly wanted to stop whatever nefarious plans Flynn had for today and she wanted to go home. She was afraid what getting away would mean for him though. He seemed more human when she was near him, and it scared her what darkness awaited him without her.

I can't help that, though, she thought, I have to stop him! She wondered just what was Flynn's agenda for today, how he was planning on killing Thomas Edison, J.P. Morgan, and Henry Ford. Or, more importantly, just how she was going to thwart him. She usually had Wyatt and Rufus to help her, this time she was alone, and that worried her the most. Yes, she'd been able to stop him in 1780 on her own, but it was very doubtful it would happen a second time.

Not for the first time since their conversation after they'd landed in Chicago, Lucy speculated on how much Flynn meant that she was expendable now. If push came to shove, she was fairly certain their night together would mean nothing if it was between her life and getting his family back. In one way, she couldn't blame him. She wondered how far she was willing to go to get Amy back. If she had to do something terrible, as Flynn was doing, to get her back, would she do it? Lucy honestly didn't have an answer and it was a scary thought. I suppose I'll cross that bridge if, or when, I come to it, she thought sadly.

A sense of dread filled the room when several loud knocks sounded on the door of their room. Lucy gathered her courage as Flynn walked over to open it. Whatever happens today, I have to try to keep the damage as minimal as possible, she told herself. It felt like a hopeless task, but she would do her best, or die trying.

Lucy prayed fervently that it wouldn't come to that.