Sweet and Sour Chicken

Lucy-

"You're dismissed," Agent Christopher said,"go home, get some rest."

Lucy, Wyatt, and Rufus rose from the long table in the conference room as one, each stretching their stiff bodies. The post-mission briefing had taken a little longer than usual since the team had been apart for the majority of it. Lucy had somehow been able to lie convincingly about how the night had passed, how Flynn had only kept watch over her under lock and key. She felt terrible about lying, but there was no way she could tell them what had actually happened.

It had been particularly difficult retelling the part when she'd been in the incinerator. Agent Christopher showed her concern, a more common occurrence as time went on, she clearly cared for team, and Mason had cringed. It had made Lucy feel strange, talking about another near death incident. She almost wanted to laugh at the thought. It couldn't be considered a normal mission if one or all of them didn't face certain death. She worried that she considered it a laughing matter. It made her wonder if she and Rufus should seek some kind of counseling. Wyatt was more used to this kind of thing. Her and Rufus, not so much.

"Who's ready for some Mu Shu Pork?" Rufus asked jovially as they joined Jiya in the hallway, moving towards the exit of Mason Industries.

Jiya hummed in agreement as Wyatt said, "Definitely me."

They all looked to Lucy when she didn't say anything. She smiled, shrugged and said, "I'm more of a sweet and sour chicken kind of girl." This earned smiles from her companions.

Rufus and Jiya walked towads his car while Lucy and Wyatt went for their own. She stopped as she reached the door, wondering if she should really drive. She was so tired and driving extremely tired was comparable to driving drunk. Wyatt came to her rescue.

"Hey, do you want to ride with me? I can take you home and then bring you back tomorrow. You probably shouldn't be driving."

Lucy gave him a small smile. "Yes, thank you," she said, walking to his Jeep.

"Follow me!" Rufus shouted as he and Jiya got into his car. Wyatt and Lucy strapped their seatbelts and he pulled out behind Rufus.

The car ride was silent. Lucy could feel an awkwardness permeating the atmosphere between them, but at the moment, she just didn't have the energy to do anything about it. She knew Wyatt was most likely feeling guilty, that he felt he'd failed in his duty to protect her when he allowed her to go off with Flynn alone or that he didn't reach her before being forced into the Mothership. He probably also felt a needless guilt about Holmes taking her, even though there was no way they could've known he wasn't who he'd said he was. She hadn't known he wasn't who he'd was! But that was what Wyatt did. He took his job protecting them seriously, especially ever since they'd all mended their relationship after their time during the French and Indian War.

Lucy was feeling a little stupid for having trusted Flynn in the first place on the mission before last, for thinking they could work together without it ending in disaster, which it did, mostly. There was also some guilt there as well. Before landing in Chicago, she knew there was something between her and Wyatt building, something maybe more than friendship. Wyatt was definitely in denial and Lucy wanted to protect her heart. It was more than clear he was not over his wife, no matter how long it had been since she'd passed.

And Lucy understood that. Jessica Logan had died a horrific death and Wyatt completely blamed himself, not wanting to give himself permission to move on. She'd felt like such a moron after they'd come back from Arkansas, when she'd talked about people being open to possibilities. Her heart had sunk when he'd said Jessica was his 'lighting bolt'. Since then, she'd tried to subtly put some distance between them emotionally. She still trusted him with her life, but she was sure she would only end up heartbroken if she trusted him with her heart.

Then there was the situation with Flynn. There'd always been a type of spark between them. Until last night, Lucy had denied it. Or chocked it up to being fear, not attraction. Now, however, she knew better. She just wasn't sure what it meant. She was spared from further thought when Wyatt pulled into a parking space beside Rufus, a charming little Chinese restaurant in front of them. Smiling, she exited the vehicle and walked with her little group inside.

Clearly recognizing Rufus and Jiya, an employee grinned as she greeted them. "Rufus! Jiya! So nice to see you again. I see you have some new faces with you. Welcome to Ping's Kitchen!" Lucy grinned at the friendly enthusiasm of the woman.

"Wyatt, Lucy, this is Ling, Ping's daughter," Rufus said, making the introductions.

"It's nice to meet you," Lucy said. Wyatt nodded, continuing to be the man of few words that he was.

Ling led them to a table in a corner and they all sat. After a short perusal of the menu for Lucy and Wyatt, Rufus and Jiya already knowing what they wanted, they ordered. It was a slow time of night so Ling came back out, chatting happily with them as they waited for their meal. It was pleasant conversation that didn't make Lucy think too much. She was grateful, her mind was beginning to feel like mush. Despite that she'd slept the night before, it didn't negate the stress of the day. It had taken a toll on her body and mind and she was feeling the effects of it now.

Their food came quickly and Ling left them to eat. It was more of the same light, joking banter and Lucy enjoyed it very much. It felt wonderful to just be out with friends, enjoying a simple meal. To not be racing a clock to avert some disaster or fighting for their lives, to be doing something normal. The four of them ate, but didn't spend an overly long time at the restaurant. Lucy was not the only one tired.

Splitting the bill four ways, they all said goodbye and parted for the night with reminders to check in with each other the next day. Lucy smiled, loving the way her team cared about each other. Like she'd thought earlier, they were more than a team, they were family. It was something she'd been sorely lacking since coming home to Amy being gone. She was more grateful than ever at the bond they'd all forged in the craziness that was their lives now.

Lucy and Wyatt were quiet again, but there was no awkwardness this time, the festive mood from dinner still enveloping them. They both seemed content to just be in each other's presence. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. The radio was playing softly in the background and she let the motion of the car lull her to sleep.

She had no clue how long it took them to reach her mother's home, but what felt like all too soon, Wyatt's voice roused her from sleep. "We're here, Lucy."

Lucy opened her eyes to indeed see they were in front of the house. Wyatt put his vehicle into park and she knew he was going to make his apology now. She decided to beat him to the punch, absolve him of the unnecessary guilt he felt.

"Wyatt, I know what you're going to say and you don't need to, it's not your fault," she said.

"Of course it is, Lucy. I'm supposed to be there to protect you!" Wyatt exclaimed.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you can watch us every second. Besides, I'm the one who decided to go after Flynn, to believe we could work with him in the first place," she parried back.

"But—"

"No buts, Wyatt," Lucy cut him off. They both fell quiet. Lucy was about to head inside the house when Wyatt spoke again.

"Did...did Flynn really hesitate when he was trying to kill John Rittenhouse?" The question surprised Lucy.

"Yes, he did. He's not a complete monster, Wyatt." She could see him about to make a retort so she quickly said, "Despite the horrendous things he's done, he's still a man, a man in a great deal of pain. If anyone can understand that, I think it would be you." She hoped he didn't think she was throwing Jessica's murder in his face. It wasn't how she meant her statement at all.

Thankfully he didn't because he sighed, his anger deflating. In a small voice he said, "Yes. Yes, I can understand that."

"I've been wondering if he was right, though."

"Right about what?" Wyatt asked, looking at her inquiringly.

"It was obvious that killing David Rittenhouse didn't change anything. So it begs the question of whether we created the Rittenhouse we know today," Lucy said.

"How so?"

"Well, did killing his father and almost killing him create the monster or reinforce the teachings of his father. If left alone, would John have deviated from his father's ideas? It's the cause and effect model. I've been trying to wrap my brain around time travel, and it makes me wonder if history was always predetermined, like I thought, or if there's some weird phenomenon where something happened the way it did because it was changed."

Wyatt chuckled. "Lucy, I'm really not following you here. Are you sure you didn't hit your head anytime in the last couple days?"

She laughed. "No, I'm pretty sure I didn't. Mason or Jiya would probably be able to explain it better than I can," she smiled at Wyatt's raised eyebrows, as if he were thinking, Obviously. She tried to think of how to get her point across. "Have you seen the movie Looper with Bruce Willis?"

Wyatt furrowed his brow, clearing thinking. "Um, is that the one where he's a hitman for the mob in the past or something?"

"Yes!" she said, glad there was a foundation to work from. "So they would send back people from the future who became a problem to the young version of Bruce Willis's character and he would kill them. And one day, the future him is sent back and escapes. At the end, it turns out the older character created the top guy who wanted him dead because of his actions in the past and what he did to the guy when he was just a little boy."

They were quiet while Wyatt pondered her theory. "You have a point, but I think you're right that this would be a discussion to include Mason, Jiya, and Rufus for a clear answer." He grinned at her.

Lucy didn't respond because her eyes were beginning to droop, exhaustion overtaking her.

"Go inside, Lucy, get some sleep. You definitely need it." Wyatt said.

Lucy couldn't argue. "Thanks for giving me a ride. I really appreciate it, Wyatt."

"No problem. Just give me a call tomorrow when you're ready to go get your car."

She smiled at him. "I will. Good night. Don't forget to text me so I know you made it home safely too."

Wyatt smiled back, a softness in his gaze. "Will do, ma'am. Night."

Once inside, Lucy barely had her shoes off before she collapsed into bed still fully dressed. She never even heard her phone buzz with the text from Wyatt ensuring her he arrived to his apartment.