Thanks for the reviews and alerts. I know this is a tough story line to read.
Title: Missing
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one
Rufus could feel tension coming off Wyatt in waves as the solider stepped into the time machine. The tech glanced up and the look on his friend's face stopped him in his tracks. Going to school in the south side of Chicago Rufus had seen that look on father's faces when they'd had to bury gang member sons. It had chilled Rufus then and it had the same affect now. Whatever had happened with Christopher was bad on the worse levels.
"What did Christopher want?"Rufus asked though he really didn't want to know.
Wyatt adjusted the farmer outfit he was wearing. They were headed back to early colonial times again. Apparently Flynn was once more trying to wipe Rittenhouse from the beginning. Rufus watched as the silence stretched on and Wyatt stared at Lucy's empty seat. Wyatt's blue eyes were the color of ice and that told Rufus more than anything that he really didn't want to know what the emergency briefing had been about. But with the nature of their jobs and them being short a team member Rufus had to have all information before they went back decades. Had to know what was going on if he was going to get them back in one piece.
"Wyatt?"Rufus prompted as he turned the pilot's seat around so he could face his friend.
"Christopher had a medical update on Lucy."Wyatt explained grimly.
"Was there internal bleeding? Something from the...beatings?"Rufus asked the words leaving a bitter taste.
When Wyatt met his gaze Rufus was surprised to see tears. They weren't there long but they had been there and that scared Rufus. Something was wrong, very wrong.
"She was raped."Wyatt explained as if it took all his strength to say the words.
"Oh God."Rufus responded as he slumped back in his chair.
Both men sat quietly each lost in their own thoughts. Each glancing at the empty chair. Each thinking of the vibrant, intelligent, beautiful woman that was their friend. A computer beeped dragging Rufus from his troubled thoughts. He absently glanced at the monitor in question and then he noticed both his hands were balled into tight fists. With an effort he forced them to relax.
"Was...was it Flynn?"Rufus inquired his voice tight.
"Christopher didn't know she hasn't interviewed Lucy yet."Wyatt stated anger lancing his words. "Doesn't matter which one it was they're all dead."
"Shouldn't we find out what happened first?"Rufus asked as he forced himself to go back to the pre-flight preparation. "I mean I know they've all done horrible things on one mission or another but..."
"Somebody was there when she was beaten."Wyatt bit out."Somebody was there when she was... assaulted and the fact they stood by and..."
"Wyatt listen to yourself."Rufus interrupted. "We don't know what happened..."
"Right the only one that knows the true account is Lucy and I doubt she'll speak to either one of us."Wyatt replied as he furiously slammed the buckles of his restraints into place.
Rufus opened his mouth to reply but closed it without speaking. His shoulders slumped as he realized Wyatt was right. Flynn may have not only succeeded in breaking the team but destroying one of the most important friendships in Rufus's life. Fifteen minutes later the Lifeboat was ready to go and Rufus started the engines and they left.
Lucy slowly stepped out of the bathroom a white terry cloth robe wrapped tightly around her. Her hair was wet and uncombed but she didn't care. Lucy was unsure of how long she'd stayed in the shower but it was enough that the water was ice cold when she finally did turn if off. Her skin was raw from where she'd scrubbed it with soap over and over. Despite all that she still didn't feel clean. Wrapping the robe tighter around herself Lucy sank down onto the end of the bed.
Logically Lucy knew things like the shower were a normal reaction. Her mind was trying to deal with the trauma she'd endured. Lucy just wanted to disappear. Find somewhere to hole up and close the door and shut the world away. Part of Lucy didn't want that to happen because she knew it'd be a victory for Flynn. However she was just tired; everything suddenly too much. Time travel, her sister vanishing from existence, the revelation of her true parentage and learning more of Rittenhouse and their plans. A knock at the door startled Lucy slightly. She really didn't want to see anyone.
"Lucy, it's Agent Christopher."A familiar voice called. "Can I come in?"
After several minutes Lucy stood and walked over to the door. She opened it and turned back around without any kind of a greeting. She retook her seat on the edge of the bed staring at the windowless wall closest to the bed.
"I wanted to check on you."Christopher began gently as she stepped in and closed the door behind."I can only imagine how badly you're suffering and I am truly sorry this happened."
Heavy silence stretched between the two women as Lucy continued to avoid her superior's gaze.
"We can prosecute the person responsible."Christopher continued. "If you can describe your attacker we can..."
"He's dead."Lucy replied quietly as she finally looked away from the wall. "Flynn killed him."
"Okay."Denise acknowledged as she sat down after moving a visitor's chair closer to Lucy. "Did you see Flynn do this?"
"No, I was in and out...after..."Lucy trailed off.
"I'm assuming if Flynn killed his own man that your attacker acted on his own?"Denise inquired softly.
Lucy nodded wrapping her arms tighter around herself looking once again back at the wall.
"Thank you for telling me."Denise said as she stood. "I will let you rest. If you need anything please don't hesitate to let me know."
The older woman left closing the door behind her. Lucy didn't know when she started crying but suddenly her body was wracked by huge sobs. She cried until the tears were spent and curled up on the edge of the bed on her side. Finally Lucy drifted off to sleep exhaustion claiming her once more.