This is a continuation of my story The Future. I want to explore a deepening relationship between Magnus and Will in this new environment. In many ways the foreplay was in the first four years they knew each other, and now that they are in the new Sanctuary they are able to make a giant leap forward. I hope you enjoy this one. Gregg.
Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit from, these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
"How big is this place?" Will asked as Helen encouraged him to board the tram with her. He had been surprised that they weren't entering the building built into the rock wall of the incredible atrium she had brought him to initially.
"It's an entire city, Will," she revealed as the doors of the tram slid shut soundlessly and the tram sped off.
"A city?" he asked, completely shocked and awed.
"Roughly the size Praxis was, but much more modern and light as you saw in the atrium," she told him.
"The buildings have all reinforced glass surfacing, adding to the very modern, forward looking nature of the endeavor."
Will gasped as the main city came into view as the tram propelled at speed out into the vast complex. The city looked like something out of a beautiful piece of sci-fi artwork, yet he could make out the more earth laden details. People, humans and abnormals, were all over walking along as if this were an everyday occurrence. It was something to behold. A completely integrated society. It made the Sanctuary a vision for the future.
"We have a population of about 7,000, and that will continue to grow," Helen said with quiet pride. "Of course there are sealed off sections for those abnormals that need a quarantined existence, but we have integrated this city as much as possible. Everyone is involved to some degree in the mission of this place."
"What was the Atrium?" he asked, his mind beginning to grasp what was in front of him.
"An escape," Helen replied, taking his hand in hers, letting her thumb run across his knuckles. She had missed him, and the angst ridden time of the past few months had taken a toll on her. Of course they had never been together, as such, but their close friendship had been an anchor for her these last few years. She would be hard pressed to explain why, but it was nevertheless true. "Call it our version of a Central Park. A place where one may go and reflect, play, escape the worries of life for a time. The building worked into the rock face houses guest apartments, three distinct libraries, and other getaway facilities."
"Why didn't you tell me about any of this?" Will asked, trying to deal with the massive secret that she had maintained.
Before she could compose a reply, the tram came to a halt and the door slid quietly open. They stepped out and Biggie was there to meet them.
"Biggie!" Will smiled, giving the Sasquatch a heartfelt hug. "How you doing, Big Guy?"
"Good," was the grunted reply in that gruff, yet genuine voice that the abnormal had. "She missed you," he said firmly, letting Will know that while it was good that he was back with them, he was watching him to make sure that none of the ugliness of the recent past was in evidence. At least Biggie was watching him.
Helen took Will's hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze of reassurance.
"I missed her, too, Big Guy," Will told his friend. He held the much larger person's gaze, trying to convey that all that was a thing of the past, and was relieved when he received a slight nod.
"Henry needs to speak with you," Biggie told Helen.
They all turned and walked away from the tram. Will, naturally, went with them, holding Helen's hand the whole time. He listened as Helen dealt with a problem via a comm unit that she had in her ear and that he had not noticed at all. The level of technology was staggering. There was an abundance of flora and fauna, giving a very natural appearance to everything, and a freshness that one didn't even see in the world above. He liked it. He was amazed when they came to a large building, gleaming with reflected light, and some refractive qualities that produced a spectrum of light. The curves and angles defied description, but he was sure that he would get the full description at some point. The large yard was not fenced in, and had an open, playful feel to it.
"What is this place?" Will asked.
"My home," Helen smiled. "Biggie, Henry, and Kate also live here. I'd like for you to, as well."
"Just like before," Will smiled. Leave it to Helen to have a massive home with friends and coworkers living there, too.
"Maybe, maybe not," Helen said cryptically, pulling him along and into the structure when the front door slid aside silently. "The sensors recognize individuals on a number of levels and only open the main door for specific individuals. We will get your readings programmed into the system before the day is out."
"You just want an excuse to get me in one of those hospital gowns and do a full set of scans," Will teased.
Helen smiled at the mental image. "Still a cheeky little bugger," she chided playfully. "Actually all you will have to do is lay on a sensor table, fully clothed, and the sensors will take care of the rest. However, if you wish to be naked, you will certainly get no complaints from me," she told him, a wicked grin lighting her smile, and eyes. She turned to Big Foot. "Would you bring me and Will some tea in my office, Old Friend?" she asked.
After receiving an agreeable grunt, Helen led Will to the second floor office. It was large, well lit, and had a sleek, ultra modern look, like the entire city. Her desk was large, with a glass top. Sleek, transparent computer screens were all over the section of the room near her desk. He had seen them only once or twice in some tech fairs for what may be in the offing about fifty or so years in the future. It looked like the future had arrived. He liked the comfortable, light colored furnishings in the office. Just like the old world look in the old Sanctuary had suited Helen Magnus perfectly, this new look did, too. Helen truly was timeless.
"I'm blown away," he told her honestly when she took a seat next to him on the beige leather couch.
Before she could say anything Biggie stepped in, placed the tea service on the glass topped coffee table and left them alone. She poured each of them a cup of tea, and handed him his cup. She took a sip.
"It is impressive, isn't it?" she asked rhetorically.
"I really don't know what to say, Helen," he replied, taking a sip of the excellent tea. "I know we talked in the Atrium, but after all that happened those last weeks, I'm not sure why you even want me here. I don't even like myself with all that happened."
"I need you, Will," she told him honestly. "Nikola is the only other member of the Five that is left, and my friendship with him is at an end. I guess that last link to the past is part of what held me back from some serious changes in Sanctuary, and also in my personal life, but it is all in the past now. I want to hold onto the friends I have left. You more than anyone."
She paused and took another sip of tea.
"I said in the Atrium that I had reevaluated certain boundaries, and came to some conclusions," she continued. "The flirting, and hand holding we've been doing since we got on the tram is a pretty good indicator that we are thinking of the same thing. The truth is, Will, I have avoided having a long term lover over the years. I think we can make a serious relationship between us work and I would like to try. Professional colleagues and a committed couple. Is that something you would like?"
To be honest he had been wanting something like that for almost as long as he'd known her, once his feelings of lust had faded into a deep respect and love. Her boundaries, however, had prevented that, and he had formed relationships in the interim, such as his now finished relationship with Abby. He could see the honesty in her eyes and in her tone of voice. Her body language was as self-assured as always, but he could detect subtle, almost imperceptible, signs of nervousness.
"I think I'd like that, too," he told her. "But what we discussed in the Atrium has to be the basis of it, though. No more secrets, Helen. The secrecy and all is what nearly destroyed us in the first place."
Helen breathed easier at hearing his words. "I promise, Will," she told him solemnly. "No more secrets." She smiled a sexy smile. "Now the next question is where do you want to live? I have a very nice apartment suite set up for you, or you could live with me in mine. The choice is yours."
"Getting right down to brass tacks, huh?" he chuckled. He had no problem living with her in a shared apartment suite. He could well imagine the suite being the size of a moderate house in the world above, actually, but he wanted to tease a bit, too.
"My vacation wasn't all work, my Cheeky Little Monkey, but I haven't had a lover since two years before I came back," she revealed to him. "I'd like to remedy that state of affairs, and with a stable, long term lover, not just a casual fling."
"I've definitely got to hear about this vacation of yours," he bantered. He was curious, and not just in a voyeuristic way. Sure he could well imagine Helen's skills in the bedroom, but he was also wanting to know that she relaxed and got the rest she needed during her 113 year getaway.
"I will be delighted to give you all the juicy highlights," she told him playfully, a sexy, smoky look in her eyes. "But whose bedroom shall we have such a delicious conversation?"
"Our bedroom," he told her, letting her know his decision. He finished his tea and smiled at her.
She smiled widely and stood up, offering him her hand. "Then how about I show you your new home?" she asked. "It's time to move forward, don't you think?"
"Definitely," he said as he took her hand and left her office with her.
A/N: I plan on having several chapters to this one, and the M rating will be obvious in a later chapter. I hope you enjoy this follow on to The Future. Gregg.