Title: Empire of the Sun
Rating: R just in case (K+)
Summary: The agents are sent to the ancient ruins of Machu Pichu for a possible Warehouse emergency. (I suck at summaries)
Pairings: Myka/H.G.
Disclaimer 1: Warehouse 13 and characters are not mine, just playing around with them.
Disclaimer 2: To anyone who is from Peru, I apologize for making some stuff up. I did do some researchn but for story purposes, I had to use my imagination :) I've been there once a few years ago and completely fell in love with the country.
Disclaimer 3: First fan fic so any feedback and constructive critcism will be greatly appreciated.
Author's note: The events here take place aprox. one year after Helena joins the Warehouse and assume she decided not to go along with the whole blowing up the world incident. So, no Steve Jinks (for now).
Claudia never thought she could be this happy. She never thought she would feel this at peace, but as she sat on the couch watching Pete and Myka playfully bicker over what movie to watch, Artie behind them, hunched over his laptop grumbling at them to keep it down and Leena getting up from the armchair to her left - smiling mischievously while she snatched the control from Myka's hand and changing the channel to some boring Avant guard film she'd been rambling on about all day- Claudia felt like she had finally found a home. The young redhead basked in the moment, almost giddy with the sentiment. It seemed funny to her, how a moment so trivial could open up a floodgate of emotions. Death, loneliness, sadness, this is what she had known, what she had lived with for so long that this wonderful feeling had practically blindsided her.
She had been working at the Warehouse for two years now and the danger and wonder of it all had been keeping her busy and she really never questioned if she was happy or not. It was just something you never asked yourself when you lived the life she had. You just tried to survive, from one day to the next. But at times like these, when she was with her family, doing something which most would consider inconsequential, she truly thought of herself as blessed. And she knew that every single heartache and disappointment she had ever experienced had all been worth it because it had gotten her here.
"Why so introspective, my dear? It isn't like you." A very distinct and eloquent British voice inquired softly beside her. A voice that not so long ago had caused her to break quite a few plates, it had made her so nervous.
Claudia idly turned her head to her left to see Helena leaning her elbows against the back of the sofa, watching in fascination - as she always did - the images displaying on the flat screen television. She had obviously just gotten out of the shower. Her hair was wet and she was wearing a green tank top and loose fitting jogging pants. Even though her eyes were fixed on the screen ahead of her, the warehouse tech could tell the time traveler was patiently waiting for an answer.
'Oh crap, busted having a moment…great' Claudia thought as she inwardly rolled her eyes at herself.
"Um, you know, just chilling…it's been a long week" She said casually, not wanting to sound like a total spaz in front of her mentor.
"Mhmm..." Helena breathed out lazily, giving her a knowing sidelong look. "You know it's funny, how utterly at peace one can feel when they're doing nothing out of the ordinary, surrounded by the ones they cherish most" She finished as her attention swept over her friends. Finally she turned towards the younger woman and gave her a crooked smile, nodding almost imperceptibly. Surprised at Helena's rare demonstration of her feelings, Claudia's eyes widened and all she could think to do was nod back, a quiet understanding passing between them in those few moments. Claudia realized right then that she and the hundred and fifty year old woman had more in common than she ever thought possible. It made her feel grateful and also a little sad for the dark eyed woman for some reason.
The moment was suddenly broken when Helena unexpectedly reached out and grabbed the control from Leena,
"Hey!" The B&B proprietor protested as H.G. gracefully swung herself over the sofa and landed on the floor between Claudia and Myka's legs.
"Yes, it is quite agreeable…even though they do make us suffer through their atrocious tastes in movies" She remarked, apparently to no one in particular.
"Amen to that" Claudia chimed in.
"Has no one any respect for anything anymore? I was watching that" Leena continued to complain half heartedly as she stuffed her mouth full of popcorn, her face set in a childish pout.
"'You snooze you lose¨ I believe is how the saying goes, no?" Helena shot back, smiling wickedly at the curly haired woman.
"Guys, guys we have got to figure out a mature and reasonable way to pick out movies or we're going to end up killing each other" Myka's calm and collected voice proposed. "- I'll give you my Butter Finger for the remote" She quickly added, dangling the chocolate bar in front of the dark haired agent.
"Accepted" Without looking at Myka, Helena did not miss a beat, handing the younger agent the control as Myka unceremoniously dropped the chocolate bar on the older woman's lap.
"Not fair" Pete protested beside Myka on the couch "Is there any left?" He asked Myka hopefully.
This earned him an incredulous look from his partner. "Pete…you ate all six Butter Fingers already?"
"Pfff..no, you just gave the last one to grandma over there" he scoffed, crossing his arms and staring at the woman on the floor as she opened the wrapping and bit into the chocolate giving an exaggerated moan of delight as she looked at the sulking agent with a deadpan stare.
"I must say, these are actually quite good" The inventor remarked as gracefully as ever, despite her mouth full of chocolate.
Claudia felt Myka squirm in her seat next to her and looked at the older agent. She had her eyes fixed on the inventor with a strange look on her face but before she could make anything of it, she cleared her throat and turned her attention back to the screen.
"Okay then, today we're watchiiiing,…." Myka scrolled down the DVR list and settled on one "Oh! 'Bicycle Thieves', I haven't seen this one in years" She mused as she made herself more comfortable in her seat.
….
Claudia woke to the sound of quiet snoring coming from somewhere. As she turned, she saw Leena curled up in the armchair, eyes peacefully closed in sleep. She had dropped the bowl of popcorn at some point and now kernels lay strewn all over the floor. Moving her head from side to side she tried to work all the kinks out of her neck.
'This is the last time Myka picks out a movie on movie night' she silently vowed to herself.
She turned to her right and, resting her temple on her hand, quietly contemplated the scene before her. Helena, who was still leaning against the couch on the floor, had fallen asleep, her head now resting on Myka's thigh. The younger agent was very much awake though and she was busying herself by gently stroking the inventor's dark hair, the movie completely forgotten. Claudia's heart ached as she saw the look the green-eyed agent was giving H.G. It was wistful and sad and Claudia had been seeing it more often than not lately whenever Myka directed her gaze at the enigmatic time traveler. Myka's eyes suddenly looked up to meet hers. Claudia could tell her friend was not expecting to be caught in her contemplation of the older woman and she was now looking around the room, clearly trying to think of something to say. Claudia simply stretched out her arm across the back of the couch and offered her hand to the agent. Myka's eyes fell to the outstretched hand and when she looked up, they were swimming with unshed tears. She ran her fingers one more time through Helena's dark tresses, placing a strand of it behind her left ear before reaching up and taking a hold of her friend's forearm, giving it a grateful squeeze.
"I know" Claudia mouthed, trying to convey as much support and love she could with her eyes. "It'll be okay" she finally whispered as she returned her friend's squeeze.
Myka shook her head, looking down at the sleeping woman. "I don't think so Claud" she replied meekly.
Claudia had come to notice a while back her friend's feelings for the time traveler. The question she had been asking herself ever since was if the green-eyed agent had figured out she harbored these feelings for H.G. as well. Tonight she finally got her answer. She also knew Myka well enough to know that she kept a wall around her heart ever since Sam's death, maybe even before then and having developed feelings for the usually stoic and withdrawn time traveler couldn't be easy for her. The question was if H.G. reciprocated these feelings at all. Claudia thought back to their last big case and mentally slapped herself when she remembered Myka's mood during that whole trip and connected the dots as to why. Apparently, H.G. did not feel the same way.
….
Two Weeks Earlier
"There! Snagged, bagged and tagged-now, can we please get out of this hell hole?" Claudia's desperate voice rang out in the quiet of the barren field where the Warehouse agents had ended up during their latest mission. They had traveled to Robstown, Texas to procure the original mask of Thespis, dated back over twenty five hundred years. It had the ability to change the person wearing it into whomever they wanted, albeit for no more than a few hours at a time. Safe to say that the fifteen year-old who had unwittingly come across it had wreaked havoc on the small city and had come up with infinite ways to exasperate Claudia once their investigation had lead them to him.
Claudia was stressed, tired and above all bored of the deserted back roads and bland restaurant food they had submitted themselves to while chasing after Eric, the psychotic boy from hell.
"Aww Claud, What's wrong? Sad Justin Timberlake won't be asking you for anymore make out sessions?" Pete teased as he deposited the bag with the artifact in the trunk of their car.
"I was drugged I tell you!" Claudia retorted almost desperately as she stomped her way over to Pete and slammed the trunk door with more force than necessary. "Why won't anyone believe me?" She asked with exasperation as she looked up at the night sky, arms stretched out as if waiting for an answer from the stars.
"Um, Claud?…we've been inside your room...we've seen the posters, remember?." Myka staged whispered as she walked by her young friend, bumping her hip against the shorter woman as she did so.
Thanks to the car's lights, Myka and Pete had a clear view of Claudia's full-blown blush as she stared at them while awkwardly scratching the back of her neck.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that" She supplied lamely.
Myka rolled her eyes good-naturedly as Pete started – once again – to sing "Señorita" while he made his way to the driver's seat to get his Farnsworth and touch base with Artie.
Claudia was about to direct some choice words at her older friend but was interrupted by the sound of an approaching car.
"Oh great" Myka mumbled as she turned her back to the car and headed over to join Pete who was now talking to Artie.
"You know, I believe it is still considered rude not to ring someone back when they're trying to reach you" Helena mused as she gracefully got out of the passenger seat of the recently parked car. She had a GPS in hand, obviously having used it to locate their whereabouts.
"Well, we've been busy searching for -" Claudia stopped herself from revealing anything else as she saw the lithe blonde stepping out of the driver's side.
Detective Angela Burns was admittedly an attractive woman. With long blonde hair and intelligent blue eyes, a small smile almost always plastered on her delicate face; she always seemed to be in on a joke everyone else was not privy to. Pete had fallen all over himself trying to impress the young detective when they had first met. But, Burns had immediately hit it off with H.G. and they had been practically inseparable all throughout the case.
She had been accompanying them on their search for Eric ever since they had arrived a little over a week ago. With the help of the mask, the young boy had efficiently stolen an important sum of money from different banks all across the city, turning the investigation into a full-blown manhunt.
The longing looks and obvious flirting between the two women had only made their trip even more insufferable. Claudia had nothing against getting a little action on the side during an investigation but Myka had been in a mood from hell ever since the appearance of the young detective.
"Well, we have good news…" Angela chimed in, noticing Claudia's reluctance to speak in front of her "-we found Eric" she said as she patted the roof of the car with her hand, flashing a proud, playful smile. Finally having finished with their conversation with Artie, Myka and Pete had no choice but to walk over to the three women, peering inside the detective's vehicle as they did so. Sure enough, the young boy sat brooding in the back seat, arms handcuffed to his back.
"Did he say how he managed to steal all that money?" Pete tentatively asked, wanting to gouge how much the detective now knew about the real reason they were there.
"Says he doesn't remember a thing" Angela answered, "And, I can't believe I'm saying this but, I actually believe him. And without being able to prove how he did it…. and him being underage and all….he'll be out in a week." She finished with a sigh, raking her hair with her left hand in distress.
"I'm sure it was him. I just-how the hell did he do it?" Angela pondered in frustration.
After an awkward silence, in which Pete cleared his throat, Claudia stared in exaggerated fascination at a dent on the hood of the detective's car and Myka raised a nervous eyebrow at a smiling Helena, the inventor broke the silence by clasping her hands together and exclaiming,
"Bloody hell if we know but, I'm sure you'll figure it out Detective...you've proven yourself to be quite…thorough after all" She finished with a devilish smile as she walked over to her new friend. Claudia and Pete smirked at the inventor's remark, while Myka rolled her eyes in annoyance, placing her hands on her hips and staring up at the sky.
"Wait, wha—so, that's it? You're all leaving?" Angela questioned as the implication of Helena's words sank in.
"Yeah, well…we were sent here to help catch the 'bad guy'" Pete chimed in as he pointed to the boy mouthing obscenities at Claudia from inside the car. "And there he is, 'Dr. Evil'…the rest is up to the D.A." He explained lamely.
Without the artifact, the boy was hardly a threat and the fact that the mask had apparently wiped his memory as well, gave them no reason to stay. With the artifact safely stowed away in the car, the last step was to take it back to Artie and the Warehouse.
"We just talked to our supervisor…we leave at 9 tomorrow morning" Myka supplied pointedly, her eyes trying to avoid the two women.
"Oh well, um I guess this is goodbye then" The usually confident detective made the statement sound more like a question as she looked up at the dark eyed woman next to her.
Myka didn't wait for Helena's response, hugging herself against the cold she stated, "I'm freezing, I'll wait for you guys in the car…goodbye Detective Burns, thank you for all your help" She nodded briskly at the blonde and headed to the car, ignoring the detective's farewell.
Claudia quickly thanked the detective and hurried after her friend, opening the back door of the car and jumping in.
"Hey Myka, are you okay? You've been acting all bat shi—" For the umpteenth time that night, her words were stopped in her throat, this time by Myka's death stare which was now being directed at her. She cleared her throat and continued "—you haven't been yourself for the past few days." She would try a more delicate tactic she decided.
Myka took a calming breath before speaking "I'm fine Claudia, it's just this damn place…I just want to get the hell out of here and go home". She admitted with a tired sigh as she stared unseeing at the glove compartment in front of her.
Not convinced with her friend's response but, not wanting to pressure her into having a conversation she wasn't ready for, the young inventor agreed "I hear ya sista…I'll go get Pete and H.G. so we can blow this joint" She joked, happy to see she had elicited a sincere smile from Myka. The younger woman was just making her way out of the car when the driver's side door opened. Pete plunked himself in the seat and without preamble started the car.
"Wha-wait—what about Helena?" Myka asked her partner, turning around in her seat to see where the other woman had gone to.
Pete just stared at the steering wheel, an awestricken look on his face.
"Pete? What is it?" Myka asked, worry seeping into her voice.
"H.G.- That woman-she's, she's a freakin'… genius!" he stated excitedly.
"What do you mean?" Myka asked with a forlorn tone to her voice.
"I don't know how she does it, but talk about Snagging, Bagging and Tagging...I knew she was smart…but how she gets people like Burns to fall all over her…it's, it's a beautiful thing guys" He quipped, wiping at a non existing tear from his left eye. Claudia couldn't believe it, but Pete was actually proud of the former Warehouse Twelve agent. This was somewhat surprising, considering he had loathed her not so long ago. Claudia turned to see Myka taking several deep breaths and clenching her jaw tightly.
"Pete …can we just go home?" Claudia asked wearily, all energy leaving her body as she took a breath and settled back into the car seat.
That had just been one of several episodes where Helena had effortlessly seduced somebody during their travels. She would also tend to disappear for days on end on the few occasions when there was little activity in the Warehouse. No one really knew where she went but in the end, it didn't really matter where she disappeared to. Every time she left, Claudia could tell Myka took it to heart. Sometimes H.G. would just retreat into herself and no one, not even Myka, could tear down the walls she had built. She would be sullen and distracted one day, and then she would disappear, only to come back at some point, refreshed and as engaging as ever. Claudia knew this was most likely the reason the green-eyed agent suffered most; Helena didn't completely trust her friends, she didn't completely trust her.
Myka gave the younger woman's arm one final squeeze before letting go to rub her tired eyes and stretch out on the couch, the movement causing Helena –ever the light sleeper - to awaken.
"What a fascinating movie" she yawned out as she stretched her arms over her head.
"Well, I think that was a bit too much excitement for one night…I'll be off to bed then" She stated as she stood from the floor, wiping her jogging pants clean of any imaginary crumbs she had on them.
"Do you need any help getting baby Pete to bed?" She playfully inquired as she stared at the grown man sprawled out on the couch to Myka's right.
Pete was dead to the world, his head leaning against the back of the couch, his mouth almost completely open and a small strand of saliva running down his chin. Claudia scrunched up her nose at the sight and smiled to herself.
"How positively comely, is he not?" H.G. was nothing if not British. Her sarcasm coupled with Pete's current state made Myka burst into laughter. Claudia rolled her eyes as she smiled at her friend 'Oh yeah, she's gots it bad' She mused to herself as she watched the two women playfully wake Pete and Leena up, helping their groggy friends up the stairs after saying their goodnights to Claudia.
Claudia got up and stretched out her unused muscles. She picked up the remote from the couch as she watched the final scene play out before her. With a sigh she turned off the television.
"Wha-what? Is the movie over already?" Artie's surprised voice startled her. She turned around to find him still sitting on the table behind the couch, laptop opened in front of him. He had been so engrossed in his work that he had missed everything.
"Artie, don't you ever stop and smell the roses man?" Claudia contemplated.
"Of course, what do you think I've been doing?" He countered back, somehow offended by the notion that he didn't have a life outside the Warehouse.
Claudia smiled indulgently at him and sat back down on the couch "Come on old man" She said as she patted the place Myka had previously been occupying. "I've been meaning to watch 'Dawn of the Dead' for some time now and I think you're the perfect movie buddy for it".
Artie eyed the young agent with some mistrust. She simply smiled with exaggerated sweetness and waited patiently. Defeated, he puffed out an irritated breath and closed his laptop, picking it up to move it to the couch.
"Uh-uh, no!…You'll need your full attention to properly appreciate this work of art" She warned, pointing at the table, silently demanding he leave his work for later.
Artie grunted but acquiesced "You sure I'm going to like this 'Dawn of the Dead'?" he asked incredulously as he sat beside the young tech.
Claudia took a moment to ponder, dramatically tapping her chin with her index finger as she looked up at the ceiling. After a few seconds, she slowly turned to him and smiled,
"Yeah, you'll love it. I mean, who doesn't love zombies?" She asked confidently.
"Zombies? You can't possibly be serious." He grumbled as he leaned against the couch and made himself more comfortable.
"Quit the act old man, you know you love 'em" Claudia smiled as she searched for the movie.
Artie grumbled something unintelligible back and gave the redhead a sour look for appearances sake but, as he turned to watch the screen, a small, satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Myka sat on the edge of her bed staring into space, elbows resting on her knees, silently fighting a losing battle with herself. She could hear Helena next door, clearly in the middle of a nightmare. This was not the first time she had heard the muffled cries through her wall. Ever since the inventor had been reinstated into the Warehouse almost a year before, nights like these had been numerous to say the least. At first she had tried to talk to the older woman about the nightmares, knowing that she was probably the only one who at least tried to make her feel welcomed. She had wanted to make her feel as much at home as possible. After all, she was in a new world, living with new people who either ignored her or put up with her because they felt they had no chose.
Pete had grudgingly accepted her into their team more for Myka's sake than anything else and it was obvious that Claudia had not trusted the woman as far as she could throw her and well, Artie simply hadn't even stood the sight of her. Leena was the only one who had appeared to not have any ill will towards the older woman, but even she had kept her distance in the beginning, as If she were making her mind up about Helena's place in their group and in the Warehouse.
Myka had felt, almost from the beginning, a certain pull towards the inventor. If this had stemmed from a fascination at actually getting to meet one of her childhood heroes or because H.G. Wells, in the flesh, was more captivating, funny and charming than Myka could have ever imagined the author being, she did not know. And in the end, it did not matter. Out of nowhere, it had seemed to her, she had started to care about this woman more than she dared delve into.
So when she approached her fast becoming friend offering to talk about her nightmares she had felt surprisingly hurt when the older agent brushed the subject off in true H.G. fashion, with a quick quip and a cavalier smile. The situation did not improve despite Helena's assurance that she was in fact fine. And one night, the younger agent had had enough of it and had decided to do something about it.
….
Six Months Eariler
Myka let out a frustrated groan from under the pillow covering her face. She was practically suffocating herself with it in an attempt to muffle out the faint cries coming from next door. She turned from one side to the other in exasperation until she couldn't take it anymore. With another long, exacerbated groan, she threw the pillow on the floor and stood, anger simmering just beneath her tired frame.
"'I'm Fine' my ass" she muttered with indignation as she opened her door and made her way to H.G's bedroom. She had tried not to pry into Helena's personal life for the last few months, knowing how guarded with her feelings the woman was. She had wanted to give Helena her space, waiting patiently for the older woman to seek her out and confide in her or at least in someone, but it had been to no avail. Tonight was the last straw, she would wake Helena up and at least try to make her see she needed to find someone to trust and purge herself of her ghosts.
She carefully opened the door to the sleeping woman's room, peering inside to see the inventor tossing and turning in bed, a small helpless whimper escaping her lips. Upon hearing the sound, all traces of anger fled the younger agent and she hurried into the room, wanting to make sure Helena was all right.
She cautiously sat on the side of the bed, her right hand hovering over the restless woman's shoulder. Myka wanted to do something to calm her friend but she did not want to upset her anymore than she already was. This left the young agent unsure of how to go about it.
"Nooo, stop, please!" a cry was wrenched from H.G.'s throat. Myka's heart broke for her then and she quickly made up her mind. She knelt on the bed and leaned over the older woman.
"Helena, shhh, it's okay…it's okay…it's just a bad dream" She cooed soothingly as she softly stroked the other woman's face and hair.
"Please…" The sleeping woman softly pleaded.
"No one is going to hurt you, you're safe here…shhh" Myka whispered.
"Myka?" A shaky voice whispered softly after a few seconds. When the agent pulled back she saw two dark tear stained eyes looking back at her with a mix of confusion and something Myka had never seen in the other woman's gaze before. It was so very vulnerable and hopeful at the same time, a stark contrast to the confident and usually cocky look the older woman wore with such ease.
Myka found herself suddenly tongue-tied and a bit bashful, all the scolding words vanishing into thin air.
"I-I-you- you were having a—" but the words were stilled by soft fingers on her lips. Myka's eyes widened as she saw the dark eyed woman slowly lift her upper body using her right arm to support her weight, all the while gazing at her with awe filled eyes. Helena deliberately, and delicately traced her fingers over the younger women's lips. Myka's heart began to beat feverishly and her breath had become quick and heavy. She kept her eyes fixed on those of the other woman's; not wanting to break whatever spell had descended over them. All too quickly, Helena abruptly dropped her hand from her face and closed her eyes in consternation, raking a hand through tasseled hair and slowly shaking her head from side to side as if trying to ward something off.
Myka's eyes turned worried and she leaned over placing a supportive hand on her friend's shoulder. She opened her mouth to ask her what was wrong but she was once again silenced, this time by soft lips capturing her own. It appeared that whatever demons the time traveler had been fighting with had been kept at bay, at least for the time being. The kiss was hungry and desperate and not at all what the younger woman had imagined her first kiss with the writer would be like – not that she would ever admit to herself she imagined such things – but to her it was perfect just the same.
She felt a hand slide through her unruly hair and gasped sharply when she felt a soft tongue demand entrance to her mouth. Myka was powerless to deny the older woman anything at this point, so swept up in the feel and smell of her. As Helena's tongue found residence within her mouth, Myka pushed her back onto the bed and rested her upper body against the other woman's who in turn moaned her approval. The kiss led way to frantic groping and soon Myka found herself pinned to the bed, Helena's lithe body covering her own, both of them gasping for breath. As Helena moved from the younger woman's mouth to her neck and took up residence on her rapidly beating pulse point, Myka's hips began to move of their own accord. At this, Helena gave a light growl, causing the hairs on the younger women's arm to stand on end. The older woman bit down on her neck while her own hips began to match the rhythm the woman beneath her made and gently, sucked and licked the spot where she had left soft bite marks.
The woman was officially driving Myka crazy with need. Myka moved her hand down to the older agent's backside and grabbed on to it, pushing her more firmly against her pelvis. Both women moaned in unison and Helena moved her face so that they were now looking at each other. While their hips continued to move rhythmically, they stared into the each other's eyes, their foreheads and noses gently touching.
The look Helena was giving her took the other woman's breath away and she slowly craned her neck upwards to place a soft kiss on the writer's semi-parted lips, Helena reciprocating in kind. Where their previous kisses had been hard, wet and desperate this one was filled with tenderness and longing. It was just as powerful but it somehow felt more dangerous. Helena pulled back and once again stared at the woman under her. Myka's hand slowly made its way to the writer's face and gently pushed back a strand of black hair, tucking it behind her right ear as Helena closed her eyes and leaned into the touch.
"Helena…" She whispered lovingly, not quite sure what she wanted to say but wanting to say something, anything to make this moment real. At the sound of her name, the older woman took a shuddering breath and suddenly pushed herself off the Warehouse agent.
"I'm, I'm so dreadfully sorry Myka, that-this..I didn't mean for this to happen" She stumbled over her words as she hurriedly got out of bed. Her eyes were searching the room frantically, looking at anything but at the woman lying on her bed.
"He-Helena, look at me" Myka's heart had made it's way to her throat. She had never seen her friend shut down so quickly and it hurt that she was looking like she wanted to be anywhere else but there with her.
Helena took another long breath and once more raked her hand through her tousled hair before looking back at Myka. The person staring at the younger woman was a complete stranger to her. A mask had settled over her features and now she bore a neutral if somewhat irritated demeanor.
"This was not supposed to happen Myka, I'm sorry…I-J was having a bad dream, and you woke me and – and I was just so grateful it had all been in my head and that you were here with me…I –I wasn't thinking properly" She finished. Although it seemed she was having trouble phrasing her words, they came out even and rough. Her eyes impassive as she looked down at the other woman who was now resting her back against the headboard, giving the other woman her own look of disbelief.
"You weren't thinking properly?" Myka repeated the words, running them through her mind, trying to absorb them, analyze them and contrast them against the woman who had, only a few short minutes ago, been looking at her like she was some irreplaceable treasure. With those words Myka started to doubt everything she had been so sure of the second her lips had met the writer's.
She had read too much into the moment, and now all she felt was heartache and embarrassment. If Helena had been in fact acting without thinking, in the throes of some horrible nightmare or memory…then, what was her excuse?
Myka arched an eyebrow and stared fixedly at some spot on the wall in front of her, embarrassment giving way all too easily to anger. She shook her head to clear it of the cobwebs the last few minutes had embedded in her mind.
She looked up at H.G., fixing her with a withering stare. "Fine", She stated simply as she got out of the bed.
Helena regretted her words instantly and tried to stop the younger woman "Myka, wait…let us talk about this" She tried to persuade the other woman, not wanting things to end this way.
"Oh, now she wants to talk" Myka professed to the room with a humorless laugh "After-after months of me worrying about you and asking you if you were alright…you know what H.G.? you are not alright…this right here.-" Myka flailed her hands above the bed separating them, the feel of the other woman's kisses still singeing her lips "—proves you're not okay. You weren't thinking properly?...fine! Then get help and start to." Myka finished as she turned and left the other woman standing, a grief stricken look on her face.
Myka raked both her hands through unruly hair, thinking back to that night, the night when she had given up trying to fool herself into thinking Helena was just a close friend to her. She thought it ironic that it was that same night she also came to realize that the older woman did not return those feelings. It was for the best, she had decided many months ago.
After their encounter, they had gradually come to an understanding and she had been relieved to see that their bond still held in tact. She could never stay truly mad at her friend. She brought too much joy and made her life more worthwhile than she ever thought possible. It had only taken one afternoon of H.G. swooping in, giving her a crooked smile and a chagrined look, asking her for help personalizing a new digital camera she had bought online with Claudia's guidance and she had been forgiven. Just like that.
Of course, Myka could see through the act. Helena had a brilliant mind; by all accounts she was a genius and even though she was unaccustomed to most everything that surrounded her in this century, her curious brain and passion for technology left little she couldn't puzzle out on her own.
Myka remembered having been looking down at the camera, trying to find a particular option in the menu when Helena had nonchalantly confessed to her she was seeing a therapist.
"- or as you Americans like to call them, a 'shrink'" she had finished, as she extricated the camera from the young woman's hands and started to play with it, unable to look at her for some reason. That had been the end of the matter as far as Helena was concerned and the subject was never brought up again, although Myka along with the rest of the Warehouse employees were well aware Helena continued seeing the therapist Mrs. Frederic had appointed her.
Tired of her scattered thoughts, and unable to stand Helena's tortured dreams, Myka stood and left her room. A few minutes later, she found herself in the Bed and Breakfast's porch, staring out into the placid night, cursing herself for forgetting to put on something warmer before heading outside. She was startled out of her musings when she felt a light quilt being gently placed over her shoulders. Looking up, she was met with Leena's warm smile.
"Mmm...thank you " she said as she wrapped the woolen material around herself and enjoyed its warmth. When she turned back around to look at her friend, she was met with a bag of twizzlers dangling a few inches away from her face.
"Marry me?" she quipped as she gratefully accepted the midnight snack. Leena chuckled and leaned her head against the white column next to her, enjoying the other woman's companionable silence.
"So, you couldn't sleep either, huh?" the agent asked the shorter woman through a mouthful of twizzler.
Leena turned her eyes towards the other woman and then stared back meaningfully at the house. With a sigh, "Yeap"
"Want to talk about it?" The agent questioned in concern.
Leena was about to decline but thought better of it…tonight had been a rough night and she was grateful to have a friend with her, offering to hear her out. She was going to do herself a favor for once and take her up on her offer.
After a moment's pause she began, "All of us in the house, living together…I've truly never been happier, but we're all here for a reason…our pasts haven't been…easy" she stumbled over the last word, wanting to be as tactful as possible.
"Hm, that's one way of putting it" Myka jibed with a wan smile.
Leena smiled back at her friend and grabbed a twizzler from the bag Myka was offering before continuing.
"Whatever we've faced in the past, we haven't let it destroy us….we're still here. Most people would be running for the hills if they ever had to face what we face every day. I was born with a gift, at least now I think of it as such…not so much before. When we're together…most of the time, our auras…there are no words to describe it, Myka…all I can say is…we just belong together, you know?"
The young agent simply stared meaningfully at the proprietor, knowing that what was being said was the truth, she didn't need to see auras to know that together they all had something special between them. "But…" she urged Leena.
"But…" The other woman huffed…"sometimes, it can all get to be a bit too much…there's love and hope and joy in all of us…but there is also a lot of anger, resentment and hurt…quite a bit of it actually. Some nights, I can't think straight, there's so much of it." She finished as she once again leaned her head against the column, her eyes directed at the darkness before them.
Myka's thoughts went immediately to H.G. Had her nightmares also kept Leena up?
Before she could even think to ask, her friend one-upped her.
"No, it isn't just H.G." She stated with a cryptic smile.
"Wha-how did you-"
"Your aura changes color whenever you think of her…it's kind of cute actually" Her friend interrupted, laughing at Myka's indignant face and faint blush.
"Jesus, does everyone know?" She hissed indignantly in a low voice. It appeared she had been the last one to find out about her feelings for the time traveler. Was she really that obvious? She inwardly cringed at the thought of H.G. reading her like an open book. She didn't like to feel exposed and she most certainly didn't like her unrequited crush to be privy to her feelings. Shoving those thoughts aside for later wallowing, she turned back to her friend and in a more serious tone asked, "Do you think we'll ever let you sleep?".
Leena took a moment to ponder the question before replying
"Will your pain and anger ever get better you mean?" She stripped down Myka's question to what it really was. "I don't know Myka…you probably know better than most that those feelings never truly go away. They might get better….or they can get worse…We have to take everything as it comes, one day at a time. What I do know is that I truly sleep a whole lot better with all of you around then I ever had before" She admitted with a tender smile directed at her friend trying to assuage her worries; worries that were mostly directed at a certain Nineteenth century inventor. Myka threaded her arm through Leena's and linked their elbows, while she rested her head atop of the shorter woman's, both staring at the darkness before them.
"You must have been one scary insomniac before we got here then" She joked, knowing for a fact that Leena, like most all of them, wasn't one for sleeping.
The shorter woman smiled and shrugged in self-awareness.
After several long moments of peaceful silence, Leena looked at the agent and started to study her friend's profile. Without thinking, but sensing this was the time to address something she had been keeping to herself for some time now, she remarked
"H.G...when she first got to the Warehouse, it was obvious she was very confused and scared and above all angry. Her aura was something I had never seen before. I didn't know what to make of it; I was scared for her - for all of us to tell you the truth. I didn't say anything at the time because I could tell that whatever was going on inside her, she was trying to fight it. I could tell it was a constant battle….I think it still is but, I believe she's better. Her aura has calmed somewhat and it isn't as scary as it used to be and you know what?...I think that a lot of that has to do with you" She finished, trying to give hope to her friend. She could see how much Myka worried about the older woman.
Myka looked away almost timidly and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I think we've all contributed…I think-I hope" she corrected, "-she feels she has a family here, that she belongs with us". She had known H.G. struggled with her past and with adapting to her present but, she had never feared her and it surprised her that Leena had but, she was glad that the inn keeper had just reaffirmed her belief that Helena was doing at least a little better than when she had first arrived.
Before Leena could reply to the comment, the kitchen lights were turned on and unexpected movement could be heard from inside. They looked at each other questioningly before turning around and heading back into the house. There, they were met with Artie and the remainder of the agents. A groggy Pete was standing up, leaning against the far wall, obviously fighting back sleep and losing, Claudia was sitting at the kitchen table, her face hidden away in the crook of her arm and H.G. was next to her, her hand supporting her chin, a bored expression on her face. Meanwhile, Artie was setting up his laptop and as he looked up at the two women walking into the house, Myka could see he was clearly flustered about something.
"Where have you two been?" He asked a little annoyed "- never mind, it doesn't matter. Sit,sit" he continued quickly, clearly not interested in the women's whereabouts. Myka and Leena shared uneasy looks before they each took a seat.
"Okay, can you please tell us why you've called us down here at this ungodly hour?" Came Claudia's muffled whine, her face still buried within the comforts of her arm.
The custodian opened his laptop and started to type, completely ignoring the young woman's question and the expectant looks coming from the rest of the inn's occupants.
While he typed, Helena looked over at Myka who had taken a seat in front of her and rolled her eyes at the older man's typical behavior, eliciting a small smile from the agent. Helena returned a knowing smirk and stood.
"Whe-where do you think you're going?" Artie questioned, finally looking up from whatever had him so enthralled.
"Well, if you simply must insist we sit here while you play with your little toy, I'm afraid I must insist on some tea...May I offer anyone a cup?" She asked, as she went about the kitchen, grabbing the kettle.
"Coffee for me, please"
"Coffee!"
"Me needs a cuppajoe"
Myka, Claudia and Pete blurted out simultaneously. Helena stood there for a few moments, her hand half way to opening the tap, staring at everyone in disbelief.
"Righty-ho then…coffee for everyone it is" she conceded.
Leena covered her mouth to hide her smile when she heard the author grumbling under her breath as she started to prepare the coffee.
A few minutes later, with everyone settled down and a much-appreciated cup of coffee in hand, Artie finally took off his glasses and worked the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb.
"It appears we have a potential Warehouse emergency people" He remarked with a frustrated tone to his voice.
At his statement, everyone sat up a little, trying to prepare themselves for whatever was to come.
"Mrs. Frederic has informed me that there has been a disturbing occurrence in the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru." He started informing the agents.
"What happened Artie?" Leena asked the custodian after a few seconds, her voice apparently snapping the older man back to reality.
"Ah yes, …it appears there has been an earthquake in the ancient ruins" He stated, shaking his head.
"Well, an earthquake isn't anything out of the ordinary, especially in Peru" Myka offered, trying to somehow calm the older man's agitated state.
"Yes, well this one in particular has opened a depression in the side of Hauyna Picchu, the mountain that rises over the city" He rebuked. "What you have to understand is that this-this city…it's still very much a mystery to us. We keep Warehouse contacts posted in the nearby city of Cusco so they can inform us of any irregular activity in the site. There is much we don't know about the city but there is a great chance that the visible ruins are only the tip of the iceberg…the treasures and-and not to mention artifacts that could be buried in their depths could have inconceivable powers…that's why this depression is worrying…if this earthquake was created with just this purpose in mind then we must conclude that there is something in that mountain that somebody wants and we have to get there before that something is found" He finished breathlessly.
"Whoa, whoa…so, let me get this straight, this Ma-Mach Picho—" Pete tried to order his thoughts out loud.
"Macchu Picchu" Myka automatically corrected while she took a sip from her cup giving him a small smile.
Pete gave her a vacant stare before setting his eyes on Artie once more and proceeding "-Macchu Picchu is a big ass cemetery for artifacts which may or may not have powers beyond anything we've ever seen and we're expected to go to this place – enter a hole in a mountain and find them?" He asked incredulously.
"Well, ah…yes, that about sums it up" The older man acquiesced.
"Well, alright then, glad we cleared that up-so when do we leave?" He asked, clasping his hands together and looking at the smaller man expectantly.
"Your flight to Lima leaves at 10 in the morning…here are the reports you can read on your way there. This file right here is on our contact who will meet you at the airport upon your arrival" He said as he stood and handed each agent two separate files.
When his gaze settled on a hopeful looking Claudia, he stared at her for a few seconds, moving from one foot to the other, clearly undecided about what to do with her.
"Pleaaaase…" She pleaded, reaching out pathetically with her right hand at the files Artie held.
"Fine" he conceded, handing them to her. "I'm guessing you're going to need all the help you can get" he stated to the other agents, "but, if your presence is needed here for any reason whatsoever, you are to march yourself back, no if's and's or but's, is that understood?" He finished, pointing a finger at the Warehouse apprentice before letting go of the files she was trying to yank from his grasp.
"Yes, yes, thankyouthankyouthankyou" Claudia agreed eagerly, getting up and doing one of her happy dances to which Pete joined in.
Helena laughed good-naturedly at her friends' excitement before stating with some enthusiasm herself, "So, we're off to Peru then…how positively thrilling"
Thanks for taking the time to read. As I said before, any comments and constructive criticism is welcomed.