I woke earlier than usual because of the woman beside me. I never liked to snuggle with lovers; especially when they all but lay on top of me. Unraveling myself from the blonde's vice grip, I slipped into my robe and took a seat at my desk. As I drew out the blueprint for a new invention, I didn't hear my lover stir. "Helena dear, come back to bed."

Glancing over my shoulder, I smiled at the groggy woman. "I'll come back once I'm done with this."

"What are you working on?" The woman came to peer over my shoulder. "Oh Helena, not again. You know these inventions will never work. A woman, even as brilliant as you, couldn't possibly build this…this…gun thing."

"It's not a gun." My voice came out a hiss causing the younger woman to wince. "It's a grappler. I don't like firearms."

"Whatever you say." I had to tighten my jaw as the blonde went back to bed. I couldn't help but think that most women in this century were insufferable. They have no imagination.

Xxx

"Helena, may I have a word?" My teacher, Chaturanga, greeted me with a smile and cup of tea.

"Hello Sir." Taking the offered cup, I thanked him. "What is it you need?"

"Things are slow today, why don't we play a game of chess?" I agreed and we began to play. This was more than a simple game between friends; he just wouldn't tell me what he truly wanted yet. "What's on your mind dear?" Chaturanga made a move. "Checkmate."

"You win again. What makes you think something is bothering me?" I set up the board again. We rarely ever played one game at a time.

"The artifacts are acting up around you. And you admitted that something is indeed bothering you." The older gentlemen met my smirk with a genuine smile.

"You've become more of a friend than a teacher, so I can trust you won't judge me for what I am about to say." I chose my words carefully. "Most women in this time period are….insufferable. They never think to even attempt to be at a man's level."

"Well, Helena, you are one of a kind. Not all women are as brilliant as you are; let alone as strong and independent." We made the next few moves in silence.

"The warehouse, it seems, is the only place I can be true to myself. I see my brother bringing home all the floozies who are simply captivated by him and he's not even the intelligent one. He merely supplies the mustache."

Chaturanga chuckled. "Dear you are simply one of a kind. Hopefully, in the future, women will be more like you." He paused a moment. "You can start with your daughter."

"I would hope so. Otherwise, we will always be unequal and never taken seriously. Yes, Christina is quite independent already."

"Just like her mother." I smiled at the man's statement. "Checkmate."

Xxx

I had lost track of time in the bronzer and forgotten what it was like to use any of my senses. Until one day, when I started to regained motor function. "Here, wrap up in this. You will need something to shield you from the sun. You're in a new world now." My vocal cords hadn't gained their strength yet so I followed the woman who de-bronzed me. It took a few minutes to move the muscles in my legs and arms. Hearing a door open, I heard the woman address another person. "You need to keep her out of sunlight for at least twenty-four hours. It will take some time for her motor functions to come back fully. She has been bronzed for over a hundred years." A hundred years?! Impossible! That means it's the 21st century!

"Thank you." The man wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me. "You have a great deal to catch up on."

"Who are you? And why did you take me out of the bronze sector?" My voice was raspy. I was in the front seat of whatever kind of vehicle this was. Feeling around, I tried to figure out what exactly I was riding in.

"My name is James MacPherson. I took you out of the bronze sector because I need your help gathering a few items from the Esher vault. And I'm sure you would like to get your things from there as well."

"How do you know about the Warehouse?" We kept stopping at what I could only assume were traffic lights.

"I too was a warehouse agent until the Regents terminated me." The Regents. While yes I asked to be bronzed, I still hold some ill will towards them. I won't admit this aloud, but I'm rather excited to see this new world. The conversation Chaturanga and I had came to mind. I wonder if women in the 21st century have changed. I can only hope they have. We came to a stop and I heard Mr. MacPherson turn off the vehicle. "We're here."

"Where's 'here'?" I reached for the strap that crossed my hips and chest. Unlocking it, I reached for the handle that opened my door.

"Careful. You can't be in the sunlight." The man exited the vehicle and came to my side. He led me once again into a building. "You can take that off now."

Unwrapping from the blanket, I let it drape around my shoulders. This was definitely not Victorian Era London. The small room smelt stale and there were two small beds with a single table between them. There was a strange black box-like contraption on the dresser. Everything was so different. It excited me and I wanted to investigate the new inventions this century had to offer. "What is that?"

"It's a television set. It broadcasts the news and other shows people have created. They were created in the early 1900s. For the most part, they are a form of entertainment. There's quite a bit you need to catch up on. I will help you with the technology and some history. But if you wish to know them in depth, you'll need to do that on your own."

"Where am I?" I started looking around the room investigating the thing Mr. MacPherson said was a television set.

"We're in America. South Dakota to be exact. It's two in the afternoon. I'll show you a map of the United States once you've freshened up. I'm sure you wish to do so? The small bottles are marked as to what they are. Everything you need should be in there. Along with a new set of clothes."

"Yes. That would be lovely. Thank you." I entered the loo and figured out how to turn on and off the shower. One thing they have improved on was the water pressure. The steamy water relaxed my stiff muscles. I found myself staying in the shower until the hot water ran out. Drying off, I dressed. It seems clothing has changed quite a bit as well. I wasn't sure what these pants were made of. I had never seen dark blue pants in this material before. There was a handheld device plugged into the wall. Picking it up, I pushed the switch from off to on. A burst of hot air came from it startling me.

James called from the other room. "It's called a blow dryer. You use it on your hair. The small bottle that says hair spray is used to keep your hair in place." Turning my head downward, I started combing my long hair and using said blow dryer. Instantly, I loved the invention. It would save quite a lot of time. Once I was done, I investigated a strange small bottle that said hair spray. I coughed as the liquid lingered in the air. Exiting the bathroom, James looked me over. "You look fantastic. I'll have some food and beverages brought to the room. But you'll need to eat slowly. There's no telling what a hundred years of being bronzed has done to your organs."

Xxx

A few days passed and I caught up on most of the history that I had missed. This new world was treacherous. Men had invented new ways of killing one another that even I couldn't have imagined. Something had to be done but I knew I had to wait. I had to gain back access to the warehouse to gather the artifacts I needed. MacPherson filled me in on the new warehouse and its agents. He needed the Impersepter vest I had invented. That would be the only way to navigate through the Esher vault. "I de-bronzed you because I couldn't find the vest."

"Yes I have it hidden in a place only I know. And only I have access to it." We devised a plan on how to claim the vest and make it back to the warehouse. He would cause distractions and gather what he called dark matter while I retrieved the vest from my home.

The plane ride was rather long and exciting. I had done research on planes and found them fascinating; much like most of today's inventions. Of course, I saw ways to improve them but would leave that alone for now. I read that my former home had been turned into a museum. The actor they chose to speak was rather idiotic. I tried not to smirk the entire time. Midway through the presentation, two Secret Service agents came in. The woman was quite attractive and looked intelligent and independent. The man, not so much. When I saw his Tesla, I knew they were my ticket into the warehouse. It would just be a long game of cat and mouse with these two.

"Look, if MacPherson wants you out, we want you in." The male agent took the actor by the arm and tried to drag him away.

"Pete, that's not him. He's an actor." She was mortified by her partner's actions. Quite adorable really.

"Mykes, I'm really vibing out here."

The brunette glanced around the room quickly. When her eyes fell on me, they lingered a second longer than the others. I smiled softly and she agonizingly moved on. "He has a fake mustache."

Peter looked back at the actor and proceeded to rip said mustache away. "Sorry about that man." He placed it back and let go of the man's arm.

"I should have known the two of you were going to be trouble. Coming in late." The tour guide scoffed. "Americans. H.G. Wells is long gone." I couldn't help but chuckle which made the brunette look at me again.

The female agent sighed. "I'm sorry but, I need to end the tour early." Everyone filed out the door including myself.

Once everyone was gone, I tried going back inside but the door was locked. Bollocks. The door opened and I was met by a charged Tesla. Gasping, I covered my face with my hands. "I'm ever so sorry. I seem to have left my notebook. I'll come back…"

"No. No. Come in. I'll help you find it. That was kind of our fault." Peter was obviously interested in me so I did what I did best when I needed to manipulate a man. It seems that flirtation still works wonders on today's men. Scanning the living room, the female agent was nowhere to be found. This might come in handy to seduce young Peter. After finding my notebook, I thanked him with a kiss. Which turned into something else quite quickly. He was a horrible kisser. "You know, I think our two countries could work out their differences."

"We're well on our way to finding out." I smiled, running a hand in the man's short hair. Massaging slightly, he was putty in my hands.

"I'm Pete, by the way."

"Helena." I heard a Farnsworth ring as the man continued to kiss me. Suddenly, he stopped. "Is everything alright?"

"I just got a really bad feeling."

"Pete? Pete, Artie says that H.G. Wells is actually…." Before the agent could walk in, I grabbed Peter's Tesla and held it to his throat.

"A woman. A really hot woman. Maybe, good with a gun?" He winced at my vice grip on his shoulder.

"Yeah, he left out the gun part." Agent Bering kept her eyes on me as she took a few steps towards us. "So, uh, H.G. Wells is actually a woman. I'm going to have to process this."

"Make it fast will ya? Look, that's called a Tesla and up close it could be…"

"Lethal. I know all about it. I brought it to the warehouse." Peter shivered.

"You what?"

"I was apprenticed at Warehouse 12. Nicola Tesla and I met at the World's Fair in 1893." I couldn't help but grin. Agent Bering's mind was racing with questions.

Peter tried to regain his partner's attention. She was clearly too preoccupied with me to remember he was even in the room. "You're really rocking my world lady."

Since the haze I had her in was lost, I turned serious again. "Now, tell me, why you were ransacking my home?"

"Ransacking your home, that has a familiar ringtone." For some reason, the agent moved her hand slowly to her pocket.

I narrowed my eyes. "What does that mean?"

"Oh uh…it's an American expression that means," some strange music played and I looked away momentarily. "Gotcha." Pete turned and grabbed the Tesla. "Let go of it. I don't want to hit a sweet, old, Victorian lady." Glaring, I kicked him in the head.

"I, on the other hand, have no problem shooting one." Agent Bering drew her gun and pointed it at me. Looking her in the eyes, I couldn't help but smirk. I could see I had an effect on her.

Letting myself be handcuffed to a chair by the young agent was rather, interesting. I believe only I could find a way to flirt with the curly haired woman as she locked the cuffs. Leaning my head back, I ran my knuckles along the outside of her wrist. There was a slight hesitation in her movements.

"That was just rude. I thought Victorian people were supposed to be nice." Peter rubbed his head as he kept the Tesla pointed at me. All I could do was smirk.

Myka joined him but not before rubbing the back of her neck. I gave her chills with that simple of a touch? Good. "Why were you working with MacPherson? Because he will turn on you."

"Don't they all?"

"Who?"

"Men. Eventually." I let my eyes linger on Agent Bering. "Neanderthals." She bit the inside of her cheek quickly trying not to grin. So we share the same views?

"Look, you can tell us where it is or watch us tear this whole place apart looking for it." Pete was getting irritated.

Apparently, he doesn't like the fact I'm flirting with his partner. This could be fun. "Go to the desk, second drawer down." Agent Bering did as I instructed. "Empty it out. Turn it over. Take off the panel."

The brunette smirked when she saw a key. "Are you going to tell us what this is for?"

"Go to the top set of shutters and close them simultaneously."

Peter looked to his partner before counting down. "Un, deux, trois,"

As she turned the key, I finished. "And voila." I noticed the slight shutter through the younger woman's shoulders that my diction caused. A door near the bookcase opened. "That's the hiding place Mr. MacPherson had so much trouble locating."

"Cover me Pete." Agent Bering went to retrieve the vest and brought it back. "Are you going to tell us what this is?"

"It's a family heirloom." It was quite fun ignoring Peter. It seemed to bother him quite a bit.

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Why would MacPherson want it then?"

Crossing my legs slowly, I answered. "I have no idea."

Agent Bering's eyes lingered once again. "Pete, the wiring on the vest matches the wiring on the switch."

"That has nothing to do with the vest." I was telling the truth, but they didn't believe me.

"Uh-huh. Sure." Peter was irritated. I grinned inwardly at the effect I had on both agents. "Can I do the honors?"

Agent Bering gave the word and Peter flipped the switch. A moment later, they were both trapped on the ceiling. "Ow…" Both agents moaned in pain.

It took me about a minute to get out of the cuffs and I grinned towards the brunette. "Thank goodness these things haven't changed much." I twirled them on my finger quickly before tossing them. "Myka, darling, if you wish to keep me in handcuffs, you'll have to do a better job at distracting me." My sultry purr caused a light blush to cross the woman's cheeks.

"How are you not effected?" The flustered brunette tried looking anywhere but down my shirt. Sadly, her body betrayed her.

"Magnetic boots. I had them specially made." Myka watched as I slid out of my blazer and into the vest. I made sure to take my time doing so. Myka being my little mouse was quite entertaining.

"That's why my head still hurts."

"If you didn't write those books, then who did?"

I walked over to the fireplace and picked up a photo of my brother. "My brother Charles was the writer. I supplied the ideas, the research. He supplied the mustache."

The brunette chose her next question carefully. She knew our time together was drawing to a close. "Well, there must have been a reason they bronzed you."

"It was easier to believe in a time machine than the idea that a woman thought it up."

"Ooo. There's that anger again."

I glared towards the male agent. "Do not speculate upon things you know nothing."

Pete snickered. "I'm digging the iron vest. It really brings out your eyes."

Smiling at the two helpless agents, I laughed. "Who's angry now?" My eyes shifted to Myka. "Until next time darling. Maybe then I can answer more of those questions that are racing through that mind of yours." Again, a light blush covered the woman's cheeks.

Xxx

I met MacPherson back at the warehouse and he led me to the vault. "The anti-matter is attached. Let's see if it kills me, shall we?" Holding my breath, I pressed the triggers. Everything seemed to move slowly and I was unable to be seen. Stopping behind the man, I purred. "Behind you."

"So glad it didn't kill you." MacPherson finished entering the code.

"Why do you wear those beads?"

"A gift from an old friend. If I take them off, my blood will eat through my veins." The vault door opened. "A curious agent entered the vault years ago. I hope you don't run into him."

Smirking, I pressed the triggers again and entered the vault. It was easy to see how someone could get lost in here. Navigating was rather difficult but eventually I found my section. My heart ached when I saw my locket. It was the only picture of Christina I had left. Placing both the ring and the necklace in my pocket, I grabbed Lizzy Bourdon's compact. That would come in handy quite nicely later on. Exiting the vault, I noticed the rest of Myka's team had arrived. Cutting MacPherson's necklace, I used him as a diversion before making my getaway.

That night, I sat in a coffee shop planning out my destruction. But as I wrote, the curly haired agent crept into my thoughts. The way she looked at me was more than hero worship. She was attracted to me. That was the only explanation for her eyes lingering before she knew who I was. To my surprise, a firm hand landed a few inches from my closed notebook. Following the slender arm, I realized it was Agent Bering. "Hello darling."

Her breath hitched momentarily. "What did you steal from the Esher vault?"

"I can see you have plenty of questions. Why don't you take a seat and order some coffee?" Eventually, Myka sat across from me. She was still guarded though. "If you want all your questions answered, we might be here all night."

"For now, just a few. What did you steal from the vault?"

I'll have to play by her rules. "I took what was mine." Taking off my locket, I gave it to Myka. "It's my daughter. Was, my Christina."

Myka's eyes fell on the picture of my little girl. Sadness hovered over us. "Everything that ever mattered to me is gone now. All I want to do is rejoin the warehouse."

Green eyes flashed to mine. "They won't let you. I doubt they'll let you speak before bronzing you again." She gave me the locket back. "And I'm sorry about your daughter." Another hesitation, "What happened?"

"She was murdered in our Paris home. Once I found the two men who killed my daughter…." I cut myself off. Anger started to bubble inside of me and I couldn't let Myka see that.

"That's horrible. I know what it's like to lose someone you love." Her eyes cast down to her cup of coffee.

"I believe his name was Sam, correct? He was your partner in D.C.?"

A sarcastic chuckle came from the younger woman's throat. "You did your homework. Very good." She looked back at me. "Yes, his name was Sam."

"I'm sorry for your loss." We sat in silence a moment until I had to lighten the mood. "What other questions raced through your mind as you were stranded on my ceiling?"

Myka smirked. "Very funny." Again, her body betrayed her by grinning. "I've seen your inventions in the warehouse, your time machine for example; it's different from in your book."

"Yes, physical time travel is impossible. But you can travel via consciousness."

Myka picked up on the dark cloud that moved over me. "You tried using it didn't you? To save Christina?"

"I did. And failed."

Sympathy showed in her green eyes. A light blush crossed the Agent's cheeks again. "What did you mean about distracting you earlier?"

It took me a minute to remember what she spoke of. "Well, darling, what kind of distraction do you think I meant? You had me handcuffed after all." My purr caused a shiver to course through Myka. I loved the effect I had on her.

"Ah. You meant…," She turned the cup in her hands.

I grinned as her face turned beet red. "There's something else you're dying to know about my personal tastes." I narrowed my eyes playfully. I didn't believe the woman could turn redder but it was possible. "Yes, many of my lovers were men. But young Peter would not be one of them. That was merely a distraction." Disgust flashed across Myka's face quickly. "He's not the best kisser." I leaned forward, "I'm sure you're much better."

Myka's face paled. "I…" Her eyes drifted to my lips quickly but moved elsewhere just as fast.

"Calm down Myka. I'm not trying to seduce you into my bed." Pause. "Not yet." I couldn't help but laugh at the cascade of emotions that flooded the woman's face.

"You could've fooled me." Myka's eyes narrowed and a coy grin tugged at her lips.

"That is, unless you want me to seduce you." Myka was speechless. I could see the pros and cons filing through her mind but also the mental battle she was having with herself. "If you have to think about it that long, it's not a good idea."

Myka bit her bottom lip and looked away. Was that guilt? "Look, you really need to be careful. Everyone is looking for you."

"You're not turning me in?" I was genuinely surprised.

The brunette met my gaze. "No. But be careful and stay out of trouble." The woman stood. Grabbing my pen, she wrote something down on a napkin. "If you need any help with something from this century, feel free to call me."

"From a burner of course." Myka's brow rose. "I've learned a few things over the past week."

Myka just shook her head. "Yes. From a burner." The woman hesitated. She didn't want to leave. "I better go. It's getting late."

"Goodnight, darling." It never failed that any time I called her 'darling' a light blush crossed her cheeks.

"Night."