If You Only Knew- Chapter 11

A/N: I never intended to go this long between updates! Since it has been a few weeks, I included a few sentences from the last chapter as a catch up. Thanks to all for reviewing, favoriting, following and reading! I hope you like this next chapter.

Standard disclaimers apply... All mistakes are mine. ~Kiki

Previously: Lucy sat back down next to him on the bed and cradled her head in her hands, covering her eyes. "I am so embarrassed...please say something more than a single word.."

"Thanks for leaving my boxers on."

Lucy pulled her hands away from her face and gave him a look that could be summed up simply as, "You can't be serious."

"You could have at least bought me dinner first."

Lucy shook her head. "You are insufferable."

"It's a gift," Wyatt admitted with a groan as he tried to push himself up on his elbows. "What time is it?"

Lucy took the phone out of her back pocket to check the time, thankfully, there were no further texts or calls from her mother. "It's a little past 8:00," she said placing it on Wyatt's nightstand.

"Why does it feel later than that?" Wyatt offered his outstretched hand to Lucy. "Can you help me up?"

Lucy's voice faded in and out of Wyatt's ears as he was being helped to sit upright. Between the pain in his side and the hammering going on in his head, he could feel his stomach trying to start a revolt. Somewhere in the distance, Wyatt was sure he heard Lucy say, "I think it may have something to do with time travel, or because it's getting dark outside."

"Are you okay?" Lucy asked, after placing her hand on his forehead. "Your still a little warm."

"I'll live, but I feel nauseous and my chest looks like a road map."

"It doesn't look so bad." Lucy said, as her hand traveled from his forehead, towards his chest, stopping to hover there for a few seconds. "How's the pain?"

"It's manageable."

"May I?" Lucy asked before touching his bare skin.

This was very unexpected, but acceptable. "Okay...just go easy."

"Tell me if this hurts."

Wyatt never even considered the possibility.

Lucy started by positioning her hand gently over his heart. His skin was clammy and slick, but his heartbeat was strong under her fingertips. She could feel the muscles in his abdomen clench and his shoulders tighten under her delicate touch. Wyatt inhaled roughly, when her fingers slowly began to trace across his chest towards his sternum, never touching any bruises along the way. His heart started to beat faster when she rested her hand in the middle of his chest. For several minutes, she just watched his chest rise and fall in conjunction with his breathing. The moment was tranquil and intimate when Lucy placed her ear over his heart, just listening to the soft thumping. She could feel Wyatt kiss the crown of her head sweetly as he pulled her into a warm embrace.

As if on cue, Lucy's phone began to ring, rumbling and jumping around on the top of Wyatt's nightstand. The noise startled both of them and Lucy immediately pulled her head off of Wyatt's chest.

"Saved by the bell... literally." Wyatt muttered. His brow furrowed as he glanced at Lucy.

"I should really answer that in case it's Mason Industries," Lucy said reaching for the phone and sighing when she realized who was calling. "It's Rufus."

"Go ahead and take it," Wyatt said running his fingers through his sticky hair. "I'm going to get in the shower"

"Wait for me, I'll be right back." Lucy said before leaving the room.

Wyatt, as impatient as always, swung his legs over the side of the bed, closing his eyes when his body protested at the movement. He hadn't felt this achy since the last time he had the flu and that was certainly no picnic. Without any further hesitation, he willed himself to stand up, praying he wouldn't end up on his knees in front of Lucy.

"I asked you to wait," Lucy said, taking him by the elbow for support.

"What did Rufus have to say? Did he mention anything about Flynn?"

Feeling the weight of Wyatt against her hip she answered, "He called to see how you were doing and no, he didn't mention anything about Flynn or Mason Industries."

"There's a piece of good news." Wyatt said moving abnormally slow towards the bathroom with Lucy in tow. "I'm just not sure at this point, how much I trust Connor Mason."

"I thought he was one of the good guys."

"Lucy," Wyatt said, turning on the bathroom light as they both stood in the doorway. "I learned a long time ago, that people are not always who they appear to be."

"Kind of like you..."

"What?" Wyatt laughed lighthearted. "Did you just compare me to that uptight, ass hat, Mason?"

"No, of course not. That's not what I meant."

"Then what exactly did you mean?"

"You are very confident and strong on the outside, but you are are anything but that on the inside. Guilt and regret are your constant companions; they drive your decisions and keep you from moving forward."

Wyatt said nothing, but his body tensed.

Lucy realized that she may have stepped over the line. "I didn't mean to offend you Wyatt," Lucy assured. "It's just an observation."

"You didn't offend me." Wyatt offered, before quickly turning the faucet in the shower on. "You don't know anything about me."

Lucy reached around him and turned the water off. "I have an idea," she said sharply.

"Really? Do tell, Professor."

"I saw the picture of you and Jess in your jacket."

"Great..." Wyatt said, raising his voice to match Lucy's. "and you know this how?"

"It fell out of your pocket earlier today. I wasn't trying to pry."

"I don't owe you or anyone else and explanation for what I do." Wyatt said forcefully, turning the water back on and checking the temperature with his hand. "Can I get some privacy please?"

Lucy shook her head without further explanation.

"Fine then, have it your way." Wyatt replied as he stepped into the tub, pulling the shower curtain closed behind him. Throwing his wet boxers over the top of the shower, he yelled, "Whose insufferable now?"

Lucy, never one to be out done, pulled the shower curtain back open, revealing Wyatt in his birthday suit. "Stop torturing yourself!"

"Lucy, what the hell?" Wyatt exclaimed pulling the curtain up against his body. "I'm not torturing myself."

"Yes, you are!" Lucy rasped, sounding like it was an understatement.

"Why, because I can't let go of Jessica?"

"No, it's because you choose not to let go of Jessica!"

Wyatt felt momentarily stunned as if Lucy had slapped him. Whoever coined the phrase "the truth hurts" wasn't kidding.

Lucy could see the pain etched into Wyatt's face. "I'm so sorry Wyatt, that was out of line."

Wyatt never moved a single muscle even when the water from the shower spray collected on the tile floor creating a pool at Lucy's feet. The pain etched into his face just seconds ago, morphed quickly into anger. His eyes radiated with intensity as the water continued to cascade over his strong, muscular body.

Lucy could feel an adrenaline rush and decided the best plan of action was to leave. "I should probably go." However, as she turned to walk out of the bathroom, she heard the water being shut off followed by Wyatt's voice which was ironically a lot softer than a few seconds ago.

"They hate me."

Lucy turned towards the familiar voice, "Who hates you?"

"Jessica's parents."

"I'm sure your exaggerating."

"I'm not so sure," Wyatt focused on the wall ahead, avoiding Lucy's eyes. "The night I found out Jessica was dead," Wyatt's voice sounded distant. "I called them after a few too many drinks."

"And..."

"Let's just say the conversation turned ugly." Wyatt shivered as the warmth and steam from the shower started to dissipate. "More regrets on my part, I guess."

"Wyatt," Lucy said, gently caressing his damp arm. "Living in the past, doesn't allow you to move forward."

"Oh my god, If you say "When one door closes another one opens," I swear I am going to lose it."

"I was not going to say that," Lucy assured with a smile. "But I will say when the door does open, you have to choose to walk through it."

In the soft light of the bathroom, Wyatt could faintly see the dark smudges under Lucy's eyes. She looked more pale than normal and exhaustion clouded her dark eyes. Pushing a loose piece of hair behind her ear, he whispered, "Thank you, I'll take that under advisement, Ma'am."

"Good, it's about damn time." Lucy smiled affectionately taking the door knob into her hand. "I"ll be right outside if you need me and Wyatt..."

"Yes Lucy?"

"Nice ass."

"Unbelievable." Wyatt whispered, as he watched Lucy step out of the bathroom, leaving the door cracked as she left.

TBC- One more chapter to go!