This is a ficlet written originally for an AU challenge a loooonnnngggg time ago.

Please be aware that it's based on the WEB series and not on the TV episodes, so if you haven't seen the weps, you probably will have no idea what 's going on.

Thanks for reading, and let me know if you liked it! :)

Tears
by Bekah See

Helen Magnus sat unmoving in the garden of the Sanctuary, looking out over a dark hill dotted with gravestones and monuments, all bleached white in the light of a huge full moon. A cool breeze wafted over her, drawing a slight shiver, but she ignored it, instead concentrating on the sharp pain caused by her hands digging into the rough stone beneath her. She welcomed the physical discomfort. It was easier to bear than the agony raging through her mind. Tears swam in her blue eyes, distorting her vision and blurring the writing on the newly hewn stone in front of her.

She released the bench long enough to wipe her face with her hands. She wanted to see this clearly. To burn the image into her memory forever. Every cut of every character was perfect. She had made sure of that when she'd had it done. She owed him that much. She owed him her life.


Here lies Raymond, faithful servant, loving friend. You will never be forgotten.

A ghost of a smile flitted across her lips as she read his name. Raymond. The meaning and connotation had changed so much over the decades, but in Old English, it meant "worthy protector". She had given it to him when he had refused to leave after his recovery all those years ago. He hadn't had a name, and had been pleased by her desire to call him something other than "Bigfoot".

Her memories continued. The first time he had held Ashley, so afraid of hurting her, yet so facinated by the beauty of the child in his arms. The first time he had driven a car, taught by Helen herself, and had ripped the steering wheel from its column in his haste to avoid a cat nonchalantly crossing the street. His confession to her about how he had tormented Dr. Zimmerman as a child and her urging him to tell their new associate the truth. She didn't know if he'd ever gotten the chance. And then, the last time she saw him alive, roaring his anger at Druitt, daring the man to attack him. His look of astonished pain as the monster's hand materialized through his torso, covered in blood and gore.

The memories faded, and her grief returned. He was gone, killed by her former lover, the father of her child. She groaned as the shock and grief of the last three days began to spread through her, bowing her down with guilt and remorse. Her gaze dropped to the grass beneath her feet, lit silver in the moon's wan light, and she watched as her tears bent the blades as they fell.