Oxford 1877

Hobbits Notes

The song is ARMS by Christina Perri

I was in the middle of writing this when they announced we will not get a season 5

Very well, If this is to be a wake, then let's do it properly. Join me in a toast.

To happier times. To those halcyon days of new episodes now gone, plus you gotta admit, sanctuary is just plain cool

The year 1877 is just a guess. If anyone has a better timeline, by all means send me a note. I will give full credit.

Slainte,

Hobbit


Oxford September, 1877

Nikola woke up knowing beyond any doubt that something amazing would happen. But he didn't realize how life changing it would be. It certainly wasn't breakfast in the noisy diner the oxford men often frequented for a quick cup of tea and where a few 'High spirited British chaps' flung egg yolk at the young Serbian. Not in his apartment where his room mate took his hair oil, either as a joke of to use it (either way Nikola was never getting it back.) and where his landlord shut off the water because of the 'Idiot in C-3'. Nikola fervently hoped it wasn't in the park where he was forced to wash his hair in the cold pond among a few indignant pigeons and a rather rude duck.
Nikola was sure it wouldn't be in his first class of the morning where he was dismissed because he wouldn't remove his hat. Nor his second class where someone removed his hat for him and he was dismissed for his unruly hair. Not in his third class either, so he didn't care when the instructor lectured him for smelling of eggs and wine before once more dismissing him. Not that he cared. The professors were idiots prattling on and on about 'scientific principals' Nikola had figured out for himself in his childhood. Looking back, Nikola realized the amazing life altering event could only have happened in his home away from his home-away, the Library. But still, in a thousand years he would never have dreamed it would be a woman.

Not that Helen Magnus could ever have been classified as just a woman. and perhaps that was why he loved her the instant he saw her lying peacefully in the wane autumn proper English woman with every hair pinned in place wearing a perfectly red dress(she later called it Crimson) could only be called 'Perfect'. Even before she opened her sapphire blue eyes, Nikola had given his heart to her.

I never thought that you would be the one to hold my heart
But you came around and you knocked me off the ground from the start

Nikola reached one hand out to her carefully but drew back almost as though he realized that he nearly touched her. He wasn't ready to touch her, not yet.

"I don't know who you are or why you're here." Nikola whispered in Serbian. "But I love you."

She started and awoke, looking curiously into the strange but comforting slate blues eyes. Nikola dropped his hands to his sides.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to waken you" he said in his heavy accent, unsure she could even understand him. The woman sat up and shook her head

"No it isn't you." she said in the voice of an angel, making Nikolas heart stop.

"Some other boys. They don't really approve of a woman here. It was a joke but it got a little out of hand..."

Nikola was so entranced by her perfect accent he almost missed her words, but technically she wasn't talking to him anyway.

"But now I have my first class coming up and I can't go with my dress like this."

Nikola had noticed she was sitting stiffly and held her dress in an odd way. now that she was moving about he could see the large tear on the side. Nikola nodded and removed his hat to show her his wild hair waving all over.

"Believe me. I know all about the Jokes. but that is no reason to mistreat a lady."

Nikola pulled off his tie clip cufflinks and a few sundry pins from his suit and held them up in askance. "If I may?"

He quickly placed the pins carefully along the tear and closed the hole, careful not to stick her or let any of the pins show (in a hundred years or so Nikola would joke that 'pinning her' was a symbol that they were dating, but back then he was simply assisting a lady in distress.) She stood up with a smile

"Thank you so much Mr..."

"Tesla. Nikola Tesla at your service." Nikola smiled and tipped his hat. She laughed and to Nikola, it was more refreshing than spring water.

"I'm very pleased to Make your acquittance. My name is Helen Magnus. Soon to be Dr Helen Magnus."

"A woman doctor? Well the pleasure is mine. but I do wish I were more presentable." Nikola ran his fingers through his messy hair as it stuck straight up. " I was perfectly presentable this morning but Egg yolk will ruin any ones hair. " he apologized. Helen smiled and pulled out a few of her hair pins.

"By your leave?" she asked and pinned his hair neatly back. "There. Now you look every bit the gentleman you are. I am terribly sorry. I don't mean to seem unappreciative about my dress repair, but my first class is in 15 minutes and I don't know where it is."

Helen looked helplessly at her schedule. Nikola smiled.

"What luck! That is my next class as well." He lied. "I would be honored to escort you."

In response Helen threw herself into his arms for a hug. Nikola stiffened, having been accustomed to brush off so much as a handshake. But he relaxed into her,realizing he was comfortable around her.

[/i]You put your arms around me
And I believe that it's easier for you to let me go
You put your arms around me and I'm home[/i]

For the next year, Nikola spent every spare moment of his time with Helen, even attending the dull biology lectures she found riveting. When he didn't have class himself, since she refused to let him skip.

To the rest of oxford they were outsiders but together they were friends.

"Nikola?" Helen asked one day out of the blue in mid-November. "I've been meaning to ask you.."

"Ask me anything Helen." Nikola smiled, loving the way her name rolled off his tongue.

"The day we met in the library, what made you approach me?"

Nikola looked out over the frozen lawns to the park where pigeons would gather in the warmer months. he couldn't tell her he had loved her from the start.

How many times will you let me

"I-" Nikola began then faltered at her bright open smile.

change my mind and turn around? I can't decide if I'll let you save my life

"You remind me of Mackie." Nikola said instead.

"Who is Macky?" Helen asked curiously.

"Magnificent Macak—the finest of all cats in the world. He liked best to roll on the grass with me. While we were doing this he bit and clawed and purred in rapturous pleasure. He fascinated me so completely that I too bit and clawed and purred. We could not stop,but rolled and rolled in a delirium of delight. "

"He sounds wonderful."

"He was. My very best friend, my first partner in science, and he didn't eat my bugs. He liked to nap in the sun."

Helen laughed and took his hand. Nikola basked in the light of her smile, much warmer than the winter sunlight filtering down through the naked trees. she rested her head on his arm and he relaxed into her. He could happily live in that moment for all his life. The only problem with such perfect moments is how soon they end

Too soon, the clock across the way chimed, making the pair jump. Helen leaped to her feet.

"I have to go, I'm so sorry Nikola. But I promised my father we would have dinner before he leaves." Helen pressed his hand a moment before rushing off, sloshing through the dead grass, scattering the brittle leaves. "I'll meet you tomorrow?"

Nikola smiled and waved. "Count on it!"

But the smile faded as soon as she was out of sight. Nikola looked to the pond wondering if the water could possibly be colder than he felt in her absence.

or if I'll drown

Had he known what waited at the house of his Beautiful Dr. Magnus,Nikola would have stopped her from going.

The next day, he waited in their usual spot when Helen finally arrived he was dismayed to see she hadn't come alone.

"Nikola this is Monatgue John Druitt." She smiled. "He is transferring here to learn surgery. This is Nikola Tesla."

"Yes your little inventor friend." Druitt smiled in a dangerous way. Nikola didn't trust him. "The one helping with the Serum?" He asked in a velvety voice with a hint of malice biting the edge of each word

"You TOLD him?" Nikola accused Helen wildly. "You told him our secret? Our project? why?"

Druitt pushed Helen protectively behind him. "Easy there chap. That's no way to speak to a lady." He took Helens arm and lead her away. she shot several reproachful glances Nikolas way.

I hope that you see right through my walls
I hope that you catch me 'cause I'm already falling
I'll never let a love get so close
You put your arms around me and I'm home

"Nikola. Nikola please." Helen sighed. "Just listen. Please?"

Nikola muttered in Serbian and refused to look at her.

"Nikola please. We can't do it alone. We just can't. and you've known that for a while and I've known it too. John can help us."

"We can. Me and you. We just need more time..." Nikola said stubbornly.

Helen shook her head gently. "No. The vampire blood is too old. Too foreign. If it's going to work at all."

Nikola put his hands on her shoulders. "It will. Helen. " he said, unable to stand the crestfallen doubtful look in her eyes. "Call in who ever you want. We can do this."

Helen smiled and hugged Nikola but jumped away again as Druitt cleared is throat.

"Helen dear, Our reservations are for 4:30. Lets not be late." he smiled coldly at Nikola and lead Helen away. She looked apologetically back at Nikola.

"Ill see you later, Nikola."

The world is coming down on me and I can't find a reason to be loved
I never wanna leave you but I can't make you bleed if I'm alone

Nikola tried to hide his jealousy as the 2 became the 3 and then the 4 and finally ("Because Johns friend really is a wiz with puzzles. You'll like James, Nikola you really will") the 5.

And though James was fun to aggravate and Nigel was amusing, Nikola now found himself sharing Helen. He hated the way Druitt fawned over Helen, his Helen! Even after John announced he was courting her, Nikola knew deep down in her heart, Helen knew she belonged with him.

[/i]You put your arms around me
And I believe that it's easier for you to let me go
You put your arms around me and I'm home[/i

Because despite their courtship, and engagement and all the happily-ever-afters she was preparing with John, it was Nikola she bared her soul to.

I hope that you see right through my walls
I hope that you catch me 'cause I'm already falling
I'll never let a love get so close
You put your arms around me and I'm home

"When I signed up for Oxford, I guess I was trying to please my father. John is going to medical school to try to gain acceptance of his absentee father. James and Nigel are following in their fathers footsteps trying to uphold family tradition. Anyone can see James true passion is crime solving." Helen sighed one night.

Nigel had gone home for the Christmas holidays, James and John had disappeared on a train together, leaving Helen and Nikola with nowhere to go

"But you- everything you do is in spite of your father."

"Ive always been a bit of an odd duck." Nikola groused into his wine. It was the first time they were alone in weeks and she chose now to insult him? Like he didn't get enough of it from everyone else.

"You're a revolutionary Nikola." Helen smiled admiringly. were WE are trying to live up to our fathers wishes. Their legacy and all the great things they have done in the past. And you, you live up to your own expectations looking only to the future!"

I tried my best to never let you in to see the truth
And I've never opened up
I've never truly loved 'til you put your arms around me
And I believe that it's easier for you to let me go

Helen sighed slightly tipsily and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "and you'll be the best of us all, I know it."

I hope that you see right through my walls
I hope that you catch me 'cause I'm already falling
I'll never let a love get so close
You put your arms around me and I'm home

Nikola smiled and draped his arms around her. Finally, he had impressed her.

You put your arms around me and I'm home