Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Warehouse 13

A/N: Thanks to KJay99 for beta-ing this fic

Claudia arrived at the Warehouse in a very somber mood.

"Hey Claudia." Myka greeted the young techie.

"Hey." Claudia responded.

"You OK?" the older woman asked.

"Yeah, fine."

"OK, well Pete and I are going into town for pizza; you wanna come?" Claudia simply shook her head no. "OK, well, we'll see you later."

"Yeah."

It was a while later when Artie came in from the stacks in the Warehouse. He saw the young girl sitting in his chair, idly looking at the computer.

"Hey, why aren't you with that Todd boy? I thought you'd want to be anywhere but here when you don't have to be; especially after the whole Hugo fiasco." Claudia was silent. "Claudia?" Artie asked looking concerned.

He took off his glasses and pulled up a chair next to her. "What's up, kiddo?"

"Yeah, you're not so good at the fatherly chats yet." she said turning to face him.

Artie may not have had this whole father figure thing down but he could tell that something was bothering her. He placed a hand on her cheek. "Tell me what's bothering you, Claudia?"

She was silent and played with the handcuff necklace she wore around her neck.

Artie sighed and pressed further. "Come on, kiddo, let me in."

"Todd broke up with me." she mumbled.

"What?"

"Todd broke up with me" she practically yelled.

Artie's fist balled and he looked angry. "What? why?" He saw the unshed tears in her eyes and he wanted to march over to town and punned the little twerp.

Claudia could see how angry Artie was getting. "Whoa, pops. Not that I don't appreciate you wanting to charge to my defense and all but it's not like he got me pregnant."

Artie placed a comforting hand on her arm. Claudia visibly relaxed. "Claudia he's a fool for breaking up with you." he brushed the hair out of her face. "One day you'll find someone whose just right for you."

She looked away.

"Hey kiddo, believe it or not I was a teenager once, I've had my heart broken a few times." He said.

Claudia looked at Artie and smiled. "There's that perfect smile." Artie said with a grin. "You'll find the right guy for you one day, and be assured that Pete and I will threaten him with bodily harm if he doesn't treat you right."

Claudia smirked. "Aw, you're getting so much better at this fatherly stuff, papa bear." Claudia leaned over and hugged Artie who hugged her back.

"Better now?" he asked.

She was silent a moment. "A little, I just think I need a little time."

He nodded and kissed her on the forehead. "I'll leave you alone then." He stood to leave but she stopped him. "It's OK, I'd like some company. Hey, Myka and Pete went to get some pizza, should be back soon. You want me to call and ask them to bring us back a few slices?"

Artie smiled. "Yeah, that sounds great."

Claudia pulled out her cell phone and dialed Myka's number.

Artie smiled; glad that Claudia was opening up to him and knew he cared.

THE END