Title: Future possibilities
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
Rufus was glad he had the excuse of guard duty to ward off some excess energy. He was pacing the area around the lifeboat for about a hundred yards in either direction. Pacing might be the wrong term since he wasn't going back and forth directly but around and around.
It'd been a shock to see Danny. He'd only seen video of Elizabeth and pictures. They'd told him about Danny and being wiped out of the other timeline. Then having him reappear...he'd seen the happiness on both Wyatt and Lucy's faces. A family that hadn't happened yet was reuninted. Weird but good. Such as was their lives lately.
They'd started as strangers and now had a tighter bond that couldn't be described solely as friendship. Rufus sent off a silent prayer once more as he made another circuit. They all had to come home from this one; just had to.
"I'm all for winging things."Danny prompted as they reached the sidewalk near the first hotel. "But we can't just barge in. Besides we all look like we've been dragged through the streets."
Lucy blinked and she took a real look at herself and her compainions and realized her son was right. While they didn't have time to change and finding clothing this time of night would be a challenge they didn't have much choice.
"Would these hotels have laundry?"Wyatt asked.
"Outside in a smaller building."Lucy affirmed.
"Let's go."Wyatt urged and they quickly walked to the back of the building.
Lucy didn't expect to find anything in her size. She didn't think they'd find anything dry for that matter. Still Wyatt was right they didn't have many options. She did at that moment miss the convenience of Walmart or a shopping mall. Her eyes had barley adjusted to the dim light when Danny called her name.
"Mom, think this will work for you."Danny said handing her a dress.
"Thanks."Lucy replied trying to see what the garnet was.
At least it was dry Lucy thought gratefully. As she held it to a patch of moonlight Lucy saw the dress was dark green with short sleeves. She quickly ducked into a dark corner to change. Fifteen minutes later they were ready and back out on the street.
Word had reached Flynn that Hines had been arrested. His henchman had also told him that Lucy and Wyatt had been spotted nearby. As Flynn continued to give orders as the group secured the area near the convention center he came up with a plan B and a plan C. He wasn't failing this time.
It was like a war zone Lucy thought as they made their way to the hotel's interior. Even from the back alleys they could hear Flynn's men and the screams of patrons as they advanced. Combine that with the gunshots, breaking glass and shouts from the police Lucy knew they had to turn things around.
Once in the hotel's lobby it didn't take long to find the men they were looking for. Due to the noise and chaos not many people were asleep. Most were gathered in the two front rooms one to the left of the front door and one to the right. Both were set from the main entrance by about thirty feet. Lucy wished she had the chance to just stand there and drink in the elegance of the glass insets of the dark wood doors, brass door knobs and beautiful glass sconces on the walls. Instead Lucy gave herself a mental shake and walked into the room on the left side of the lobby with Danny and Wyatt close behind.
A group of six men clustered around the ornate fireplace which held a crackling fire. Lucy recognized two and she had to clamp down on her excitement. These were just the two congressmen they needed.
"Gentlemen, can I have a word?"Lucy asked gaining the men's attention.
"Pertaining to?"A tall thin beared man wearing a bowler hat asked.
"Getting the convention back under way."Lucy replied with a smile.
"And you are?"Another man asked.
"Lucy Preston."Lucy said going with her real name. "My father is a political professor at Northwestern University. He has implored to me how important this convention is."
"We will certainly listen to your father."The fourth man commented as he lit a pipe.
"My father has taken ill."Lucy said. "This young man to my left is his assistant."
"Gentlemen."Wyatt acknowledged picking up their cover story. "Professor Preston has come up with an alternative way to ensure the votes are counted and the convention goes as planned despite what is occuring outside."
"Continue."The bearded man who had first spoke invited with a nod.
Lucy felt a bit of hope part A of their plan was accomplished.
An hour later Danny couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He'd stood by quietly and watched his parents not only talk their way into a situation but win over the people who were needed for the plan's success. Now Danny leaned against the back of a winged back blue chair watching the group before him. They'd moved to a unused dining room in the hotel. The congressmen had recruited more politicians and the group numbered twenty not counting Wyatt and Lucy.
Shouts drew Danny's attention to the nearby window. The chair he was leaning against was next to the dining room's fireplace. The window over looked the street and part of the convention center across the street. The police were on horseback and doing their best to maintain order. However Flynn's gang had grown in number and the police were no match. Despite the early morning hour people were still on the street watching from doorways.
Danny looked once more at the group gathered around the table. Everyone was talking not paying him any attention the youth glanced at his parents knowing he wouldn't see them again until he was back in his own time. He didn't want to leave like this but it was most likely his last chance to save Lizzy. After making sure Flynn was still in the same location Danny walked to the rear kitchen door and slipped inside. Then he made his way out the back door.
Feeling elated that things were going so well Lucy stepped back from the table. The delegates had nearly enough votes for Mcclearn. Just needed four more and they'd be done. Lincoln would win in a landslide. It was then Wyatt touched her left shoulder and Lucy froze seeing the worry in his eyes.
"What's wrong?"Lucy whispered anxiously.
"Danny's gone."Wyatt said grimly. "I checked the hotel there's no sign of him. One of the kitchen staff remembered seeing him exit through the back door."
Cold fear wrapped itself around Lucy as her gaze went to a nearby window.
"He's gone after Flynn."Lucy stated her voice barely audible.
"There was probably part of his mission he didn't or couldn't tell us."Wyatt suggested his gaze following Lucy's.
"What do we do?"Lucy wondered as she sneaked a glance back at the men still intent on their discussion.
"Slip me the radio."Wyatt whispered. "I'll update Rufus this might be the point where we have to trust Anthony. I'll be back soon."
Lucy moved to give Wyatt a hug. As they embraced she snuck him the radio. Wyatt in turn put it in his coat pocket.
"Gentlemen,"Wyatt began as he addressed the group. "I must step out and check on Ms. Preston's father. She has authority to speak for both of us until I return."
The men wished Lucy's imaginary father well as Wyatt left. Lucy fought to put her emotions aside and stay to the task at hand. It was hard though with the noise increasing from the street. More gunfire and shouting. Lucy tried her best not to worry about Danny out in the middle of it. He had basic military training and survival skills taught by their future selves. Lucy clung to that as the group resumed reading telegrams and letters.
Flynn had gathered four of his top men into one of the now abandoned bars near the Wigwam. He dispatched two on a mission and now stood near the wooden bar with the remaining two.
"I heard the army was on it's way."One of the men a tall thin black haired man stated nervously.
"Already factored in."Flynn replied smoothly. "You're clear on the rest of the plan?"
"Yes, Sir."The other man a stocky blond youth responded. "As long as you pay me it's clear as crystal."
"Deal is same as it was."Flynn nodded motioning them to the door. "We need to get things done before dawn which isn't that far away."
"Yes, Sir."The two men acknowledged and scrambled out the door.
Flynn smiled and shook his head. He walked around the bar and found a bottle of whiskey and took a glass from a shelf and poured himself a drink. He had just raised the glass to his lips when he heard the familiar sound of a hammer being cocked back on a gun.
"I was going to just shoot you but I wanted you to know who killed you."
"In some ways you're just like your father."Flynn said with a sigh as he sat the untouched drink down on the bar.
"You know who I am?"Danny asked in surprise.
"I was in possession of your mother's journal."Flynn replied as he turned to his right. "I also saw your picture on the mantel when I paid her a visit and she gave me the journal."
"That makes this easy then."Danny said with a grim smirk as he leveled the gun at the former NSA agent's head.
"Plan's already in motion."Flynn commented. "Killing me won't stop it."
"That's not why I'm going to kill you."Danny replied. "Protecting history is my parent's thing."
"What are you waiting for?"Flynn baited.
"Nothing."Danny responded as he pulled back the trigger.