Title: Sanctuary – Beneath the Despair (A sequel to Beneath the Dark)
Summary: The Sanctuary family is forced to deal with the re-emergence of an old foe, then tragedy strikes and tears them apart. A/U
Pairings: Helen Magnus & Madison Cross (OFC); Ashley Magnus & Will Zimmerman.
Rating: M for Mature readers
Disclaimer: No profit or copyright infringement intended during the writing of this story. All characters other than original remain the property of creator Damian Kindler, Sanctuary 1 Productions and Stage 3 Media. Please note that this tale features a relationship between two women and if that is not your cup of tea, then go make a coffee elsewhere.
Warning: This story features a character death.
A/N: Please review and fed the Muse!
Chapter 1
Doctor Helen Magnus groaned in slumber and rolled over onto the empty side of the king size bed. Her eyelids flew open when it registered her wife Madison Cross was missing. Still tired from staying awake for most of the night with a colicky three month old baby, Helen had been asleep for less than two hours and was somewhat groggy.
Climbing out of bed, the brunette pulled on a robe and went in search of Madison. She located her next door in the nursery holding Gregory James and positioned on the rocking chair the Big Guy had presented to them months earlier at the baby shower. The blond baby was busily sucking on a bottle of water while Madison gently caressed his fevered brow.
"How's he doing darling?" inquired Helen as she drew closer.
Looking up, Madison smiled, "He's tolerating water, so that's a good sign and his chest sounds less congested."
Running fingers through her son's fine hair, Helen noted, "Hopefully it's a turning point for the poor boy. Where is Mason?"
"Ashley took him to her room for some quiet time and his bottle. We didn't want to disturb you in case Gregory started bawling again sweetheart."
"I certainly appreciate the consideration and am going back to bed." Leaning over, she kissed Gregory's head then Madison's lips.
"Sweet dreams Helen, love you."
"Mmm, I love you too. Oh darn I almost forgot, I have that meeting with Lilian Lee from the UN Security Team at ten."
"Don't worry; Will has it covered and you need to rest before you collapse."
Touched by her wife's thoughtfulness, Helen's features softened, "I won't argue."
Madison ran a hand up her wife's arm and whispered, "He's asleep."
"Bless him, he must be utterly exhausted."
"How about I bring him to bed and watch over the two of you?"
"That's a jolly good idea," answered a beaming doctor.
-o-
Within five minutes, Helen was sound asleep and Madison was softly caressing their son's chest. Since the birth of the twins, Helen had regained her trim figure and ceased breastfeeding two weeks earlier. Both babies were thriving on formula and were shamelessly spoilt rotten by the occupants of the household.
The Big Guy Harry was the worst culprit, closely followed by Ashley. Offers of babysitting had been gratefully accepted by the proud parents as they adjusted to a routine of limited sleep. The Sanctuary Team had operated without Helen at the helm since October and Madison knew her wife was eager to resume work.
After laying on the mattress for over an hour, Madison grinned when Gregory rolled over to his mother and latched onto an exposed nipple.
Helen woke with a start and soothed his cooler forehead, "I'd say he's feeling much better."
"Looks like it to me and I don't think you're done with breastfeeding."
"I will be after this. It's just a little more convenient to allow him to continue at present and I doubt I have enough milk present to satisfy his hunger."
The serenity of the room was disturbed when Helen's cell phone rang and Madison retrieved it off the side table. "It's James," she said while passing it over.
"Hello old friend, what can I do for you?" answered Helen brightly.
"I have some rather disturbing news I'm afraid."
"Go on."
"I've just received word Dana Whitcomb vanished from the Cairo Sanctuary two hours ago."
Trying not to sit up and interrupt Gregory's feeding, Helen responded, "How the dickens did that happen? I thought she was under the strictest of security regimes."
"The security shield was bypassed for a short duration from an outside source and Whitcomb slipped out the rear service door during the ensuing confusion."
Disturbed by the revelation, Helen nevertheless remained calm and focused, "Bloody hell James, obviously she'll have to be tracked down before she returns to her evil ways."
"Precisely Helen and measures have been taken to ensure that occurs."
"I'll meet you in Cairo within fourteen hours and sort this whole dreadful mess out. I'll bring Henry with me so he can run a diagnostic on their system and upgrade it."
"Right you are then. I'll contact you once I arrive."
"Until then, stay safe James." Helen avoided looking directly at Madison while handing back the phone. She didn't need to see to know her spouse was wearing an unsavoury scowl upon her face.
Without saying a word, Madison eased off the mattress and ambled into the ensuite. She was showering when Helen joined her moments later.
"I gather it was Whitcomb you were discussing with James," she noted as Helen placed a delicate kiss on her left shoulder.
"Yes, more's the pity."
"She'll go underground and will be extremely difficult to locate."
"Under normal circumstances I would agree, but the insufferable woman had a tracking device surgically inserted into her hip shortly after arriving in London."
"That was a clever move, but I'm sure her first priority will be to have it removed," reasoned Madison logically.
"Precisely my love and I hope the Cairo Security Force will be on her trail well before that transpires."
Turning around, Madison asked, "So why is it necessary for you to go? I thought you put James in charge of the Network during your maternity leave?"
"Darling, the woman is my responsibility."
With a shake of blonde hair, Madison responded, "I don't agree, but I know it is pointless attempting to dissuade you and allow James to handle the situation."
Brushing fingers through short strands, Helen smiled radiantly, "I love you for understanding my position."
Her gesture was returned with a frown, "I'd rather you weren't personally invested in her recapture."
"It comes with the territory I'm afraid."
Changing the subject matter, Madison inquired, "How was Gregory when you put him to bed?"
"He didn't stir at all and Ashley returned Mason to his cot."
"She's really good with our babies."
"Ashley adores them," stated Helen before lowering her lips to Madison's and vanquishing all thoughts of Whitcomb.
-0-
Twenty minutes passed before Helen dressed in blue denim jeans, brown boots, black tank top and a grey leather jacket. She kissed her children goodbye before turning her attention to Madison, "I'll check in with you when we land in thirteen hours."
"Are you sure you don't want to take someone else with you?"
"No. Ashley and I will be able to handle it along with the other team members while Henry attends to the security system issue."
Nodding, Madison embraced Helen and kissed her thoroughly.
"I'll be back as soon as Whitcomb is returned to London."
"I love you sweetheart and have fun flying the new Gulfstream."
Grinning, Helen replied, "Yes there is that added bonus. I'm eager to see how she handles."
"Get moving before I beg you to stay," taunted Madison.
Pecking her wife on the neck, Helen's dimpled grin deepened, "I love you and will speak with you soon."
Madison goosed her wife then watched as she left the nursery and collected the travel bag off the sofa in the living room.
-0-
James and four Cairo team members met Helen, Ashley and Henry at the airport and the Englishman didn't look happy.
"By your frown I suspect something is exceedingly amiss James," pointed out Helen as she hugged her friend.
"Unfortunately the escapee was tracked to Mogadishu where she boarded a flight with Daallo Airlines. The transmitter implant was found in the Airport's toilet facilities along with bloodied swabs. Her abetter parted ways with her and didn't give up any information when the Security Force caught up with him in Merca."
"Damn it James, we need to find out her destination."
"Already done my good woman, it's not all bad news. The airfield mechanic was willing to part with the information when I managed to track him down. He was very helpful for a small price and we need to fly to the United States."
"I'll have the jet refuelled immediately if you can arrange for Henry to be taken to the Sanctuary. Where is Whitcomb scheduled to land?"
"That my dear friend is where we have run into some good luck. The Daallo flight is taking her to Dubai for a connecting flight with Emirates to LAX."
Smiling, Helen patted James on the shoulder, "That is fortunate. The trip will take her at least two and a half days."
"Exactly and we can be there in fourteen hours or less."
"Splendid James, the game is afoot dear friend."
"Indeed it is."
Nodding, Ashley pulled out her phone and turned to her mother, "I'll call a contact in LA and have him hack into the airport's camera system in case the information is false."
"Good idea, Whitcomb is cunning enough to send us on a wild goose chase."
Henry tossed his bag over his shoulder and offered, "I'll return to Vancouver the second I'm done here Doc."
"Thank you Henry."
-o-
After organising the refuel and lodging a new flight plan, Helen called Madison with an update. She was pleased to hear Gregory was fully recovered and responsive. Her relief was evident when she entered the cockpit and took her seat.
"That smile tells me my baby brother is doing much better," remarked Ashley while conducting the pre-flight check.
"Fully fit and blatantly being fussed over by his Uncles Will and Harry."
"Those two are hopeless," quipped the younger blonde with a roll of her eyes.
"William will be well prepared for when the two of you have your own children."
"Thankfully that is still a few years off yet mom."
Minutes later, Helen was cleared for take-off and conversation turned to instrument chatter.
-o-