If You Only Knew- Chapter 12

Standard disclaimers apply... All mistakes are mine.

The sound of running water filled the room as Lucy stood outside the bathroom door, resting her head on the doorframe. She was absolutely exhausted and clearly her behavior from earlier was a direct result of said exhaustion. "Nice ass?" Lucy couldn't believe those words had left her mouth, it was so inappropriate and so out of character for her. Truth be told, she was embarrassed and thought about leaving, but she was so tired and spent that she wasn't sure she had the energy. So instead of walking away, she slowly slid down the wall and closed her eyes until she felt the wood floor underneath her.

Wyatt closed his eyes and leaned into the shower spray hoping that the hot water would help to ease the throbbing in his abdomen. Pain and fatigue were not unfamiliar feelings to him, but being shot was. He pressed and probed at the square bandage covering his wound eliciting a hiss. He winced when the pain intensified. However, no amount of pain could compare to the concern around what would happen if Flynn decided to take the mothership out. Who would protect the team, and more importantly, who would protect Lucy? Sighing, Wyatt ran one hand through his wet hair and then shut off the water, deciding that it was better not to obsess on the mission right now and just focus on healing. Wyatt pulled a towel around his waist and tried to hide his vulnerability as he stepped out of the shower. However, it was to no avail when he opened the bathroom door and saw his vulnerability staring back at him.

Leaning down, Wyatt spoke softly, "Lucy, why are you sitting on the floor?"

Lucy was startled awake by the sound of Wyatt's voice. She opened her eyes to see him kneeling in front of her wearing nothing but a towel slung low across his hips. He was still damp from the shower and his hair was sticking out in several places. "Nice outfit," Lucy said with a yawn.

"Very funny, " Wyatt reached for her and started to help Lucy to her feet. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine, thank you."

"Easy," Wyatt instructed, grasping Lucy a little tighter around the waist when she started to sway. "Are you sure your okay?"

"Really Wyatt, I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine." Wyatt knew from experience that when a woman says she is fine, she is nowhere near being fine.

''I'm not so sure about that," Wyatt pointed out, catching her before she hit the ground.

"Thanks," Lucy said, shifting slightly to face him, the scent of soap and clean laundry in the air. "Maybe I'm a little more tired than I let on, but I really should be going."

Wyatt's gaze was intent as he looked her over. "You are in no condition to drive."

"Maybe not, but my mom has been leaving messages and texts all day," Letting go of Wyatt's hand, she sat down on the soft mattress and slowly shimmied until her back was against the headboard. "She didn't follow up on me like that when I was a teenager."

Wyatt shot her a look of doubt as he removed her shoes and placed them on the floor next to the bed.

"It's true," Lucy laughed loudly. "You never grew up as the daughter of Professor Carol Preston. She was very respected in the academic community and sometimes I wondered if work didn't take precedence over her family." Her voiced turned suddenly somber, "But at least I had Amy."

"What is different now besides Amy being gone?"

"This new version of my mother seems…," Lucy paused briefly. "She seems more invested."

Wyatt absorbed all this new information while he leaned against the tall dresser behind him. "Then why don't you call her?"

"Honestly, I'm too tired to get into where I've been; why I leave suddenly; and why I can't talk about what I do," Lucy explained throwing her hands in the air. "I've been dodging her for days now."

A kind of tense stillness settled over the room. "Clearly this is upsetting you," Wyatt said opening his dresser drawers to gather a pair of boxers and pajama pants. "I will get dressed and then I will take you home."

"You"re in no condition to drive either," Lucy parroted defensively back to Wyatt. "Isn't your car back in the parking lot at Mason Industries anyway?"

"You"re right it is. Let me call you a cab then," he suggested.

"Isn't how this whole thing started?"

"To what "thing" are you referring to?" Wyatt asked a little flirtatiously, knowing full well what Lucy was talking about.

"Taking you home," Lucy said naively.

"Well then," Wyatt winked picking up on her inexperience again. "You could just stay here tonight."

Lucy's mouth fell open and she almost choked on the words. "With you?"

"Yes with me," Wyatt laughed out loud. "Do you see anyone else in this room?"

There was a long drawn out pause.

Deciding to ignore the obviously unintended invitation Wyatt clarified the offer. "I'm not talking about sex Lucy, just helping out a friend."

Maybe that would be a relief.

"Oh, I know that." Lucy began to blush and a twinge of nerves crept into the pit of her stomach. "It's just that…"

"Should I take that as a 'no'?"

"Wyatt, we work together and I wouldn't want anything to be awkward between us."

"Lucy," Wyatt hesitated, after kneeling down by the side of the bed, closing the gap between them. "I understand and I agree with you, but recognize that after everything we have been through today and the fact that I am wearing nothing but a towel and a smile right now. I think it is safe to say that we are way past awkward."

Lucy smiled genuinely and shifted to lay flat on his bed. Trying to talk through a yawn, she replied with what sounded like, "Agreed."

"Just rest," Wyatt spoke softly, running his fingers through her soft, dark hair. "I'll be right back."

Lucy nodded and then slowly rolled over and reached for Wyatt's pillow. Inhaling deeply, she snuggled the soft rectangle towards her chest and held it tightly, taking in the comfort that it offered.

Quickly changing and returning from the bathroom, Wyatt's breath caught when he saw Lucy asleep in his bed. She looked so peaceful and beautiful with her hand resting underneath her cheek. Not wanting to disturb her, Wyatt grabbed a pillow off the bed, turned off the bedside light and finally walked towards the door. He was stopped by a sleep deprived, but nevertheless, angelic voice. "Wyatt, stay with me." Taking a deep breath, Wyatt turned around and carefully climbed into bed. Once he positioned himself comfortably next to Lucy, Lucy moved her body to be snug next to his and placed her head over his beating heart.

Wyatt, appreciating the comfort Lucy provided, held her close. "I never thanked you for taking care of me today."

"It was my pleasure," Lucy whispered into the darkness.

"I hope you understand that you did more for me than anyone has done in a long time and I'm not only talking about my injury." He squeezed her a little tighter. "You helped me to remember that I am not damaged and worthy of second chances and more importantly," Wyatt swallowed hard. "I am not alone."

Silence.

"Lucy?" he breathed. "Are you still awake?"

More silence.

Wyatt gave the slightest shake of his head when he heard Lucy roll over and begin to snore softly. "She never heard a thing."

The next morning Wyatt woke up to an empty spot beside him in the bed. At some point, Lucy had left, and Wyatt never heard her leave. Sitting up, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked around the room. There was no evidence of anything that had gone on the day before, no bandage wrappers or water glasses, gauze or tape. What he did notice, however, was a chocolate candy bar and a note on the bedside table with the words "Read Me" printed on them.

Slowly opening the neatly folded paper, Wyatt began to read the message from Lucy:

Wyatt,

You are not damaged and always worthy of a second chance. I believe in you and you are certainly not alone. Please accept this chocolate bar and start living again (and yes, I will share it with you if you would like me to). Life's too short to carry guilt and regret, hopefully a gunshot in the gut reminded you of that.

~Lucy

Wyatt closed the letter with a new sense of purpose. He grabbed his cell phone and began to dial Jessica's parents.

"Hello." A familiar voice from his past answered.

"Hi, it's me Wyatt. I know it has been a while, but I wanted to call and..."

A/N: And that's a wrap! I hope you enjoyed the story and thank you for all the support and awesome reviews! You all are the best! ~Kiki