Title: Future Possibilities
author: Cindy Ryan
Notes and summary: see part one

Wyatt fully understood why modern technology couldn't be brought back decades or centuries. Still after communicating with Rufus via Morse code Wyatt would've given anything for his smartphone. Texting was much, much easier. After some trial and error Wyatt managed to update the pilot. Even through the primitive dots and dashes of Morse code Wyatt could almost hear Rufus's dismay at Lucy having to go back to the mothership with Flynn.

It'd been nearly an hour since Lucy had left with Flynn. Wyatt had done surveillance at Hines's office. It was on the top floor of a third story building. Close enough to the convention center that Wyatt could divide his time going back and forth walking or getting a ride on public transportation. Even with work to distract him Wyatt found himself looking for Lucy two trips he'd taken back to the Wigwam he'd known had been too early for her to be there yet. Still the unease of trusting Flynn had caused Wyatt to split his time. Now back at Hines's office Wyatt stood on a sidewalk across from the building hidden by an awning of a bakery. Wyatt would give it another fifteen minutes before going back to the convention center.

Deciding he needed a closer view Wyatt walked across the street and entered Hines's building. Though he could see whoever was in the one room office from the street because of the window's angle Wyatt didn't want to risk missing any one. He walked up the three flights and positioned himself in an alcove at the end of the hallway on the right side. The door next to it read service and had cobwebs on the door handle and in the corners of the door frame. Guess custodial crews weren't high on Hines's priority list. Too much risk for a witness to an illegal activity; or an overheard conversation. Hines's only had one more visitor and that was a delivery man dropping off what Wyatt could see where the 1860's version of office supplies. With a frown Wyatt quickly left the building hoping this trip to the Wigwam Lucy would be waiting. If she wasn't…..Wyatt squashed the thought before it could conjure any dark images. As he and Lucy continued to grow closer Wyatt found himself thinking of the alternate life with Elizabeth and Danny. Maybe they couldn't restore his daughter's time line but they could start a new one.

He and Jess had discussed having a family but it had always seemed something for later. Life was busy with careers and other commitments. With the glimpse Wyatt had been shown of what his life could be Wyatt found himself wanting it to be reality. Coming to their meeting point at the Wigwam this time Wyatt was relieved to see Lucy waiting. Not being able to help himself Wyatt grasped Lucy's right hand and tugged her to him in an embrace. She smiled at the greeting and Wyatt leaned down and kissed her.

"I could get used to that."Lucy whispered as she rested her forehead against Wyatt's once they broke apart.

"Me too."Wyatt agreed.

After a moment Lucy cleared her throat and stepped back holding up her handbag.

"Got the journal."Lucy said triumphantly.

"Just like that?"Wyatt asked with concern. "No strings, no tricks?"

"No, he did see we have the same goal."Lucy said as they started walking.

"But he's not giving up his evil ways?"Wyatt guessed.

"No."Lucy said with a sigh.

"Figured."Wyatt replied as he took Lucy's left hand in his. "Let's head back to Rufus. We need to regroup and eat; I'm starving."

For the journey back to the lifeboat Wyatt and Lucy rented two horses. Wyatt had given Lucy a few tips but she was still not entirely comfortable riding. She was improving though Wyatt noted with a smile.

"What?"Lucy asked seeing his grin.

"City girl on a horse."Wyatt replied as he kicked his horse into a faster trot.

"Wyatt!"Lucy protested as Wyatt moved ahead by several yards.

"Race you."Wyatt called back.

Rufus heard quite a bit of noise outside the time machine distracting him from what he was working on. The noise clarified into hoofbeats coming in fast and shouts.

"What the hell?"The tech muttered as he rose from the pilot seat and looked around for some kind of weapon.

With the horses drawing nearer Rufus settled on a spare piece of pipe that'd been secured in one of the storage compartments. Never knew what one would need on a mission to repair a time machine. Hitting the control to open the door Rufus peaked out. Instead of seeing Flynn's henchmen he saw Wyatt and Lucy riding towards him at full speed with Lucy having a slight lead. However, neither looked worried or afraid.

"City girl just beat you!"Lucy said triumphantly as she reached the lifeboat.

"If I hadn't had to go around that downed tree…."Wyatt protested with a grin.

"Excuses."Lucy responded with a smile as she gingerly dismounted.

"What's with the pipe, Rufus?"Wyatt asked as he got off his horse and helped Lucy to stand.

"Wasn't sure what was coming with all that noise."Rufus replied with a smile as he lowered the weapon. "Challenged her to a race did you?"

"One that will have a rematch."Wyatt commented with a smile as he climbed in the time machine.

"We got the journal."Lucy informed as she followed Wyatt inside.

"Good, can we go home now?"Rufus asked as he shut the door behind them.

"No, getting the journal was only part A of this mission."Lucy replied as she sat down in her seat accepting the bottle of water from Wyatt. "We still need to make sure the convention goes smoothly and they pick Lincoln as their candidate."

"Guess that means Flynn's still on the dark side."Rufus said with a sigh as he sat down in the pilot seat.

"Wouldn't listen to me on that front."Lucy said as she leaned back.

"We've got a few hours until nightfall."Wyatt stated as he sat down. "We should eat, rest a bit and then head back. If Hines's is going to do anything to disrupt things it'll be under the cover of darkness."

"Good idea."Lucy agreed as she got out some ready to eat military style meals and handed them to her companions.

"While we're here I need to teach both of you more Morse code."Wyatt said with a pointed look at Rufus.

"What?"Rufus asked after swallowing a bite of food.

"In our last radio conversation had quite a few spelling errors."Wyatt said with a smile.

"I still need to figure out a better communication system for us on missions."Rufus replied with a frown. "My fingers were getting sore tapping that stuff out."

"So posing as a telegraph operator?"Lucy prompted with a smile.

"Not on your life."Rufus countered with a grin. "I'd definitely send some important message to the wrong place if I understood it at all."

"Seriously you're both doing good with the basics of it."Wyatt commended. "Just to a brush up on it since we have a few hours."

"Sounds like a plan."Rufus acknowledged.

The trio finished their meal in companionable silence .