A/N: Okay, I know, I'm garbage. I have so many other fics to work on and I'm starting a new one for a different fandom instead. I will get back to my Star Wars fics eventually, when I do not know, but with Timeless as my current hyperfixation, I had to write this story. I've seen a lot of Married!Lyatt fics and fics with them coming back to the present to find themselves married when they weren't before, but I haven't seen any explore the possibilities of their actions in the past leading to a return to a world where they weren't married. How would the loss of Amy impact them, as a married couple? What about Lucy finding out she's engaged to someone else? And (eventually) Jessica? That's what this fic is going to explore.

This is just the prologue, the other chapters are going to be much longer. Chapter 1 is done and chapter 2 is in progress. Both will be posted soon.

She had already planned out her summer. She was going to start the research for her next book, a history of John Wilkes Booth and Abraham Lincoln. A common topic, one she knew there were hundreds of books about. But she knew, especially with some help from her mother, she could bring something new to the well told history. Growing up, she had idolized Lincoln. Now, as a history professor, Lucy Preston felt like she was ready to tell the stories, the different histories, she grew up hearing, to others. Already she had published two books on American history, one on the Spanish American war and one on the Great Depression. But the Lincoln book, that was her passion. Lucy had already planned out her summer, it was going to further her career, get her that much closer to tenure, just like her mother wanted. Then the whirlwind that was her younger sister dropped a bomb, destroying all her plans.

"How could you do this, Amy?" Lucy asked, as she flipped through her filing cabinet, searching for the relevant lectures she needed, "Signing me up for this without even asking." Her small office, tucked in the depths of Stanford's History Department, was an absolute mess. She only had a few hours left in Palo Alto before having to make the seven hour drive down to San Diego and she was far from ready since she had learned she was leaving that morning.

Perched on the edge of Lucy's desk, Amy insisted with a bright smile, "It's the perfect opportunity for you Lucy! You turned down that position in Ohio, this is the only other way to get you away from Stanford at least for a little while. Being away from mom will do you good! And think of all the hot soldiers! You're gonna have so much fun you won't even want to come back?"

"Fun?" Lucy snorted a small laugh, "Teaching an eight-week class to a group of officers, against my will, may I add, isn't my definition of fun."

"And writing another book with mom is?" Amy prodded.

Lucy rolled her eyes. Her sister meant the absolute world to her but sometimes, especially in moments like this, she wished she was an only child. With that thought, she said, "At least that would help my career, unlike this."

Again, Amy laughed, "But this could help your life, Lucy. Live a little!"

"How is teaching an elective on American military history to a bunch of soldiers going to help my life?" Lucy asked. Amy just laughed in response.

The Pendleton Base was doing a series of summer courses for those stationed there. They were optional electives, all eight-week courses, covering various topics. Lucy found the program admirable, a way to educate those who dedicate themselves to serve their country. That doesn't mean she wanted to teach one of those courses. Yet, because of Amy's inability to leave well enough alone, Lucy was sitting on the edge of a desk, watching fourteen soldiers and marines of various ranks shuffle into a small, tucked away, classroom.

She was a little nervous about teaching the class, due to how under prepared she felt. Sure, she had taught classes on American military history in the past, but these were soldiers, most likely familiar with the history, as opposed to college freshman who knew only as much as their high school textbooks. Because of the age difference between the men sitting before her and Lucy's usual students, once everyone was in their seats the first thing she said was, "Welcome to American military history. Since we're all basically the same age, there's no need to call me professor, or doctor, or anything else. Lucy is fine." She then went into a short spiel about who she was and what the course would be covering. She emphasized the fact that they would be focusing on transformative moments in strategy, technology, and history, as well as battles and figures that are usually left out of the narrative. Once she finished the introduction, she turned to her students, asking them to introduce themselves to her and share why they chose to enroll in the elective. When she reached the final student, Lucy wanted to roll her eyes. He was leaning back in his chair, his chin tilted down, almost resting on this chest, and his eyes were closed.

"Are you asleep?" Lucy asked, annoyed by the disrespect.

"No, ma'am." He replied, eyes still closed.

Lucy held in a huff and said, "Then please sit up and share, just like the rest of the class."

When he lifted his head, Lucy was annoyed to find a smirk pulling at the corners of his lips. "Yes, ma'am." He said again, finally opening his eyes, "Master Sergeant Wyatt Logan," He introduced himself, "I'm taking the class because I pride myself in knowing military history and this seemed like the right way to brush up on those facts." After a beat the smirk returned and he added, "Ma'am."

Lucy had only spent one minute talking to him and already felt like she had enough. It took all her years of experience with college students pushing their boundaries to not snap at him. Instead, she responded calmly, "As I said at the beginning of class, there's no need to call me by any titles. Ma'am included." From the sparkle in his eye, Lucy could tell he was calling her ma'am knowing full well it would push her buttons. Looking him up and down, Lucy noted the slightly smug look he held, the scruffy not quite regulation lack of shave, and his slightly messy hair, she knew then and there she did not like Wyatt Logan and that he would be a problem in her classroom.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I hope this prologue did enough to peak your interest. Chapter 1 will be posted by Monday! As always, review if you can!