-A multi-chapter Teslen! Hoorah =)Although it's Tesla x Ashley friendship-centric. It won't be long, however. Will try to make it as 'worth the read' as I can. The inspiration came to when I thought, "What would happen if Ashley and Nikola got to know each other?" As always R&R and enjoy =D

-Thank you so much for those who support my Naruto-fandom works. =D Fear not, I've been writing for TR , KNS and the others. I'm just taking a little breather from them to expand my horizons.

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The Baby Sitter

Prologue

~The Deal~

"Really, Helen?" A disgruntled Nikola was leaning against the said woman's desk, wine glass elegantly in hand and a large scowl on his face. "You can't possibly suggest that I baby sit...her." He had gestured his wine-glass bearing hand at the blond who stood a foot apart from her mother, eyes obviously screaming their mutual disagreement at the offer at hand.

He sneered at her, distraught at the idea of having to look after this 23-year old child who, frankly, was old enough to take care of herself even after that happened.

"Mom, please, just take me with you. I feel fine." Ashley pleaded after she made a face that bordered disgust and intense—intense—dislike. As far as this man went, she hated him. She hated his arrogance the most. The way he paraded around like he owned the place when he damn well didn't.

Her mother, Ashley wondered, had the oddest friends. Call it her protective daughter instincts to shield her mother from despicable men, but as far as Tesla went, she was not amused.

Ever since she was turned into the Cabal's agent and her mother had managed, in her blank moments of recall, to bring her back, Ashley had been monitored day in and day out despite her lack of memory of the events. She remembered, though, that one hazy memory of her mother crying as she held onto the wrists of one of those Cabal superabnormals—one much like herself—before everything went black. Next thing she knew, she was in the infirmary with her mother at her side, asleep and dreadfully exhausted.

"Oh Ashley," Helen's motherly tone was soothing, almost intoxicating, "John, Will, Kate and I will only be gone for a few days to finalize the new Sanctuary network in the Philippines." Helen beamed a reassuring smile at her daughter, "Besides, you've just recovered. I don't want to risk you again."

Helen held her daughter by the shoulders. She had let Ashley go on her own impulses the last time, and it had ended badly. Had it not for Nikola's quick thinking, John's primeval instincts as a father—perish the thought—and her decisive thinking, Ashley would have been severely disadvantaged. Or worse.

"Fine, but why does it have to be...him?" She glanced at Nikola who responded with a face of his own, "Henry, Big Guy and I will do just fine on our own. Take him with you or something." She was desperate now, and the tone of her voice was evidence enough.

"Ah I see we finally agree on something," Nikola had stepped forward, his wine-free hand hooked daintily on his waist, a mannerism he often did. "Yes, Helen, why not leave the Sanctuary in Wolfy's ever capable hands? Or the..." He trailed off as he attempted to describe Biggie, to which he found himself lacking the right words to describe him.

"Nikola," Helen warned in her oh per usual tone, "Ashley's just recovered. Besides, if something were to happen while I'm gone—"

"Yes but how can you be certain I won't run this place to the ground?" He had his hands join in their argument, weaving circles as he explained how the Sanctuary wouldn't be there when they returned.

Nikola grinned at Helen, leaning closer to provoke the brunette. After he had explained, he thought that she'd perhaps see the rationality in all of this. Nikola was not the man—vampire—to leave the entire Sanctuary network to. Contrary-wise, he'd probably do a bang up job save that he wasn't in the least interested to do so especially when it involved an added job of taking care of a snivelling blonde brat that was her daughter.

If only she were more like Helen: refined, sweet, intelligent, and womanly. It was a shame she took more genetic coding from her father than from her mother. Druitt was hardly the perfect role model or father figure. Ah Helen, if only she'd chosen Tesla instead of Druitt long ago—gave her heart to him instead—perhaps they'd have a daughter that was perfect in every way. But, that was wishful thinking, and the one standing before him was Druitt's child, not his.

To his dismay, the latter simply grinned and took her seat before her desk, hands interlaced with one another on top of it. Helen gave Nikola a mischievous smile that held every gleam of trouble she had within her. Damn her. "I trust you, Nikola." Who could possibly resist such a sweet phrase? Simple: Ashley and Nikola.

Ashley reeled, her face scrunching in disgust as Nikola grimaced into a sarcastic smile, freeing himself from their staring game. "I'm flattered Helen, but I adamantly refuse. Besides, you, yourself, have just recovered from all of this Cabal business." His expression was solemn, showing what Helen realized was genuine concern.

"And might I add, how can you be sure Druitt's going to keep his blood thirst intact throughout the trip, hm?" He leaned onto the table, placing a hand to support his weight as he attempted to close the distance between them. He was growing deathly serious, and Helen could notice the slight unnerving of his voice.

"Will and Kate will be there."

"You're going to depend on the paperboy and...and the ex-cabal agent for safety?" Nikola cocked his head in agony, that scowl deepening with every word brought forth from his mouth. He folded his hands across his chest, careful not to spill the precious vintage in his grasp.

He didn't like the idea of Helen going on a mission with the likes of those three. To tell the truth, he simply hated Helen being alone with Druiitt at any time of the day—or time for that matter. But he would never openly admit it. No, he was too conceited and self-absorbed in his pseudo guardian affairs to even think of it. He'd mask any signs of jealousy with plain abhorrence.

Ashley nodded from her corner, her eyebrows raised to emphasize her agreement, "Not my choice of words but what he said."

"Look." Helen had risen from her seat in a manner that seemed to make them shrivel up and shrink in size. Oh dear lord. Angry Magnus was not appealing. "This discussion is over. Nikola you are going to watch over Ashley and the Sanctuary until our return, and Ashley will remain inside. .Clear?" Her eyebrows furrowed, Helen could only keep her mouth tightly shut as she let the silence carry her vexation across. She was tired of arguing.

Ashley, still reluctant to accept the unruly verdict, simply groaned and walked out of the room. Nikola, on the other hand, simply quirked his eye brows in silence and took a sip of his wine. He cleared his throat, opting to look away from her soul-boring glare. "Very well then." He placed his wine glass on the wooden desk of his so-called long time friend before taking his leave. Defeated, he could only walk away with his tail between his legs—so uncalled for.

XxxxxX

Helen, John, Will and Kate stood at the foyer geared up in their mission attire. Before them stood Nikola, Ashley, Henry and Biggie who were more or less reluctant to leave the Sanctuary in the hands of Nikola Tesla. "Is there really no way Declan can fly on over here, and—I dunno—run the place instead of genius here?" Kate had quirked a sarcastic brow at Nikola who snickered at her oh-so charming remark.

"Afraid not," Helen, sighing, could only defend her decision to the best of her abilities. Declan had far pressing matters in the London Sanctuary to 'fly and take care of things', and the other Sanctuary heads couldn't be left to their own devices. Will and Kate's abilities were thoroughly needed in that land so far away from their own, and Druitt—well—he had his teleportation. Besides, with the current happenings in that country, a quick getaway was probably the best.

"Helen, surely this can wait until Ashley's recovered, yes?" Druitt had spoken up, his tall countenance fluidly shifting to Helen's side. He was worried—his expression was honest—about leaving Ashley in the hands of Tesla. It was just about as much as Tesla was worried about leaving Helen with Druitt. A bundle of irony the situation was, but they all had to deal with it. It seemed that the only person who actually agreed with the plan was the master mind, herself. However, even she had her doubts.

"We can't delay this any longer. A slight detour in the schedule and things will fall apart," She had turned to him, her eyes pleading for Druitt's alliance—she hoped at least he would be an ally. "That country is a delicate situation, needing the utmost care, caution and...diplomatic skills." She paused, flickering her gaze from person to person wondering if they understood what she meant.

Druitt glared at Tesla, mustering every ounce of self-discipline to, after much restriction, simply walk up to him. "If anything happens to Ashley while we—"

"Hey, I can take care of myself. Thank you very much." Ashley had retorted from her corner before Tesla could reply some brilliant come back. This was no time—nor was any time for that matter—for him to be taking on his role as a father. Helen and she had done just fine without this 'John' character.

"Well, without further adieu," Helen had to stop things before they escalated any further, "John, if you will." She nodded to the ripper before John, taking one last look at Tesla, reluctantly followed. "Nikola, if anything happens while I'm gone be sure to let me know." She saw Tesla briefly scoff before lifting his brows in understanding. She then turned to Will and Kate, "Ready?"

"As we'll ever be," Will quirked a brow at Kate before all four disappeared in a vortex of red energy. Then they were gone.

Ashley, once her mother and her team were gone, grasped her Biker helmet which had been inches from her and propped on top of the foyer end table. "Well now that she's gone—"

"And where do you think you're going, young lady?" Nikola had his hands latched onto his waist, his brilliant blue eyes fixed on her helmet. He had a guarded expression, one that showed feigned concern, reluctance to comply, and the audacity of a wilful guardian. It'd been seconds since Magnus had disappeared and already her offspring was causing trouble. Well, something she probably inherited from his mother.

"Out." Ashley muttered in a matter-of-fact tone as she headed for the door. Henry and Biggie, noticing the blonde head outside, raced towards the door.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Henry grabbed Ashley by the wrist to stop her, "Your mother just said—"

"No way am I staying cooped up here." She glanced at Tesla, "Especially with him here." Nikola could only gibe in sarcastic reply.

Henry gave Ashley a straight face, cocking his head to one side before attempting to reassure her, "Look we all get it. Tesla might not be the best person to leave this place to,"

"I beg your pardon?" Nikola was growing more irritated by the minute. Wolf-boy wasn't helping one bit.

"But Magnus left you in our care. If something happens to you," He glanced at Big Guy, "We'll all be in some deep mojo! And you KNOW how your mom gets when she threatens to deep fry you to a crisp!" Henry had tossed his hands in the air, earning a chuckle from the blonde who lifted her hand from the door knob.

"Fine. I get it," Ashley sighed, "But I just HATE it when everyone's up in my face." She held her helmet beneath her arm, scrutinizing the relieved look of Nikola Tesla before marching up the staircase, slightly brushing his shoulder as she did. "Not doing this for your sake."

Nikola leered at her with a toothy grin, following the blonde with his gaze until she disappeared up the flight of stairs. "Wonderful job, Lupe." He had faced Henry who, he noticed, was giving him the most displeasing glare. "What?"

Henry shook his head before wordlessly heading towards the hallway and into the elevator. Big Guy, wanting to get back to work, huffed and grunted before he turned the corner and out of sight, leaving a disgruntled Nikola to his own demise.

"Great." He clasped his hands together, rubbing them gleefully. He exhaled, ogling the vicinity looking for something to do. "...Now what?" He jeered at his question, that rampant smirk wiped clean off his face when he realized, with Helen gone, there was very little to do in the Sanctuary.

He glanced left and right before a small idea popped into his head and he opted to walk down the hallway towards Henry's lab. Perhaps Magnus's boy had some junk he could work with. Revival of his species, here he comes!

XxxxxxX

-A rather short prologue to The Baby Sitter. So now that Nikola's left to wreak havoc in the Sanctuary as he pleased, what's going to happen? Find out soon! I implore all of you to leave some Reviews, so I may know where I have to improve on. =)

-I'm having a bit of a difficulty capturing Ashley's personality exactly. I've been rewatching episodes with her, and I have to say I'm learning. Hopefully, I'll be able to come up with some good exchanges between her and Tesla.

-"HEINRICH!" -Tesla