Helen stood on the roof of the Sanctuary, looking over the city. The wind blew hard into her face and stung her eyes, bringing tears that she refused to shed. She couldn't, she had to stay strong and believe that everything would turn out alright. Everyone was consistently telling her this; Will and Henry mostly. But it was difficult to put all her faith and hope in that belief, she wouldn't be able to handle it if she allowed herself to believe and then watch it while everything crashed down around her. No, Helen couldn't lose Ashley a second time; it would completely shatter what was left of her already broken heart.
As Helen fought back another wave of tears, she heard the door to the roof open quietly and close with a gentle touch. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. She already knew everything about him; his soft steps as they confidently glided across the floor to her, his scent filled the air around her, another immediate indication of who it was. If she could hear his heart beat she would know; she'd spent too many nights just listening to it beat while he slept.
Yes, she didn't have to see John to know it was him. He'd changed so much, there was to be no mistake about that made, but there were certain aspects that survived untouched by the passing of time. His scent, his steps, the soft looks she saw in him at times and the effect he still had on her.
Helen shivered as she felt him stop just inches behind her and she tensed when she felt him pull her into his arms. John lowered his lips to her ear and whispered to relax and she immediately responded; despite the protests her mind was screaming at her. She relaxed into his soothing arms and leaned her head back onto his chest. Sighing, she finally allowed the tears to come; they freely flowed down her face. Something she hadn't allowed herself to do yet. But in the shelter of John's arms she felt safe. Helen turned around and buried her face in his shirt, clutching it tightly as she silently begged him not to let her go.
John held her and allowed her to cry in his arms, something he knew she desperately needed to do. Finally Helen quieted and he just held her.
"Everything will be alright. We will get her back," John whispered. Helen raised her head to look into his eyes and she saw someone she hadn't seen since they're days at Oxford; she saw John Druitt, the man she'd fallen in love with. The hatred temporarily pushed back and replaced with tenderness.
Slowly, John lowered his lips to hers. Helen, hesitant at first, allowed him to kiss her. It was short and sweet, full of bittersweet memories. Gradually they parted and Helen smiled gently at John, letting him know it was alright. She silently permitted him to lead her to her office and onto the couch in front of the fire place. They stayed there the whole night, Helen cuddled in John's arms. It was at a time like this that it was easy to believe things would be okay, wrapped in John's embrace.
This was my first attempt at writing Sanctuary, hope it was okay :)