Sorry for the lack of updates. Real life has been busy and I've been waiting till I had this almost finished before posting again. It is finally very nearly finished. Look for more updates in the next few days. Thanks to those who have stuck with it. :)

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

Lucy saw the flames even before they were within blocks of the Wigwam. It was just after sunset. The trio had decided to split up with Lucy and Wyatt doubling on one horse and Rufus reluctantly taking the other. Rufus had gone to the mothership in hopes of turning Anthony to their side. Even if they couldn't they needed more information on what Flynn had over him.

"Why is it even with having a time machine you can still be too late?"Wyatt asked sarcastically as he spurred the horse forward.

"We're not too late."Lucy responded determinedly. "This election is too important. I'm not letting Flynn have it."

"Any ideas?"Wyatt asked as he struggled to keep the now frightened horse steady in the crowd.

"Find Hines."Lucy suggested. "We find him we find Flynn."

Chaos would be too kind a word; Wyatt thought bleakly half an hour later. They'd been forced to return the horse to where they'd rented it afraid the animal would get injured in the malay. Wyatt didn't like them being on foot but they didn't have a choice any kind of wagon would just get bogged down by the large crowd and they'd have the same concern with the horses.

After leaving the stable Wyatt and Lucy had tried to get close to the Wigwam but it was near impossible. The whole block behind the convention center was on fire and rapidly spreading. People, wagons, horses, police and fire units were all trying to navigate through the congested area. Finally Wyatt pulled Lucy into a doorway of a bar to get them out of the throng of people.

"We have to get above this."Wyatt stated urgently. "It's the only way we'll be able to spot Flynn or Hines."

Lucy nodded and they both began scanning the street looking for the best spot.

"There's a boarding house about half way down on the right side."Lucy pointed out the five story brick building. "It's across and down from the Wigwam and up from where we encountered Flynn."

"Let's go."Wyatt ordered as he placed a hand on the small of Lucy's back guiding her through the crowd.

They made it a building away from the boarding house when the first gunshots could be heard. Women in the crowd screamed and people began running. Knowing they had very good odds of being trampled Wyatt gathered Lucy close and they ran into the nearest doorway and flattened themselves against the door. Police on horseback tried to calm the situation but fear had taken hold.

"Wyatt..."Lucy began her brown eyes wide as she took in the crowd.

Before she could finish a fight broke out a few feet away. Wyatt stepped forward so he was physically protecting Lucy keeping her behind him. He warily watched the three men fight. Soon two more men were involved. Wyatt reached behind and gripped one of Lucy's arms with his right hand ready to run at a moment's notice. Some of the fighters were clearly intoxicated, some just angry. One young blond man picked up a board that had been in a trash pile. The youth swung at a nearby oppoonent who ducked and hit another man with his right fist. The blond frowned and swung again with the board. However the board slipped from his hands and flew picking up speed from the wild swing. It came straight at Wyatt. He flung up his hands and managed to deflect it but grunted when the edge came in contact with the left side of his forehead. His vision blurred briefly and he shut his eyes.

"Wyatt!"Lucy exclaimed worriedly as she moved from behind.

"I'm okay."Wyatt reassured the historian.

"You're bleeding pretty good."Lucy pointed out anxiously.

"Least of our problems."Wyatt retorted as he glanced back at the fight.

The brawl had moved a few feet down. Wyatt glanced to the left and saw more people were watching the fight. He knew this was probably their best window to leave. Tightening his grip on Lucy's right arm Wyatt ushered them out of the doorway and onto the sidewalk. They quickly threaded their way through the people and made it to the boarding house. Once inside Lucy and Wyatt found the stairway and made their way up to the highest floor.

Rufus had dismounted and approached the mothership on foot. It was still where Lucy had said it was. Even with the cloaking tech Rufus could see the slight variation in the atmosphere that gave away the location. A few minutes later the cloak had been deactivated and the door opened revealing Anthony. Rufus's former mentor had decended the stairs. The scientist was holding a gun but it wasn't raised. Rufus had taken a small comfort in that. Now a half an hour later the time machine had been hidden and the two men were seated inside. It had been one of the most painful and tense conversations of Rufus's life.

"You have to leave, Rufus."Anthony urged.

"Not yet."Rufus replied quietly.

"Any of Flynn's men could come back at any moment."The scientist said anxiously.

"You and I could be gone by then."Rufus stated.

"I can't go back."The older man replied with a shake of his head.

"What does he have on you?"Rufus inquired.

"You know the only family I have left is my younger brother, Sean."Anthony replied dully.

"Flynn threatened to kill him?"The pilot guessed grimly.

"Worse."Anthony stated sadly. "Said he'd go back and make sure Sean was never born."

"Help us."Rufus pleaded. "You can protect your brother by joining us to take down Flynn.

"What do we have here?"A cockney accent asked from the door. "Company for dinner?"

Rufus jumped to his feet cursing himself for lack of awarness. He recognized the balding henchmen as one of the core members of Flynn's gang. The only weapon Rufus had on him was a small knife tucked into one of his boots. He'd taken it reluctantly on Wyatt's insistance. Flynn's man hadn't shown a gun but he hadn't needed to. Rufus knew from previous experience that none were unarmed.

"I'm not here for trouble."The pilot stated quietly as he raised his hands. "I was just leaving."

"Should've left sooner, mate."The henchman replied with a grin as he stepped further into the time machine. "Your team's been causin' trouble for my boss. He'd be happy if I took some of that trouble off his mind."

Rufus swallowed hard and glanced over at Anthony. One way or another he'd know if his mentor had the courage to switch sides.

It was only when they reached the roof that Lucy got a good look at Wyatt's wound. The large gash on the left side of his forehead was still bleeding; and not just a little. Lucy knew head wounds bled more than other injuries but it was still unsettling. Reaching for the hem of her skirt Lucy quickly ripped off a large section of fabric. She started to press it against Wyatt's forehead but he batted her hand away.

"It's just a scratch."Wyatt protested.

"Since we don't have a mirror handy you'll have to take my word that it's not."Lucy retorted and pressed the fabric against the wound once more. "It's going to need stitches."

"It can wait, Luce."Wyatt said quietly.

Wyatt took the fabric from Lucy and as he did he squeezed her hand reassuredly.

"What's happening down there is more important."Wyatt continued. "This may be a random disturbance but if it's Hines's work..."

"If it is this is just the beginning."Lucy replied worriedly. "They'll be dozens more all over the city."